Russia's Western Siberian region of Tyumen declared a state of emergency due to the risk of flooding, Governor Alexander Moor said on Monday.

TASS news agency later reported that a state of emergency was also declared in the Kurgan region. The regional governor said, based on forecasts, the central part of Kurgan may flood.

Swiftly melting snow triggered the worst recorded flooding in Russia's Ural Mountains, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

(With input from Reuters)