Seven people killed in Dagestan flooding (VIDEO)

At least seven people have died as severe storms have caused widespread flooding to Russia’s North Caucasus Republic of Dagestan. A state of emergency has been initiated in the region, with over 1,000 people remaining in the disaster area.

"According to the latest data, seven people were killed,” an Emergencies Ministry official told the RIA agency. “One thousand, one-hundred and twenty people have been caught in the disaster area, including 280 children.”­

As a result of heavy rainfall, mudflows swept through eight streets in the southern Russian city of Derbent. The flood has affected at least 320 houses.

A state of emergency has been declared in the city. Over 300 emergency workers are working at the scene. Rescuers are currently pumping water out of basements and clearing  streets of debris.

Two Emergencies Ministry planes are scheduled to depart from Moscow to Derbent with rescuers and equipment at 4:00 GMT.

The first reports of rising water levels came after midnight Moscow time. Derbent residents were informed of the deteriorating weather conditions but no evacuation order was issued. 

“The population was notified through the towers of mosques and through the loudspeakers on emergency vehicles,” the local emergencies ministry told Interfax.

The flooded Derbent, Dagestan on October 10, 2012. (RIA Novosti / Press Service of EMERCOM)

The flooded Derbent, Dagestan on October 10, 2012. (RIA Novosti / Press Service of EMERCOM)

The flooded Derbent, Dagestan on October 10, 2012. (RIA Novosti / Press Service of EMERCOM)