33 killed in Kazakhstan flood

Astana, March 15 : Rescuers have found 33 bodies in southern Kazakhstan, where heavy rains swept away two dams last week, causing massive flooding, authorities said.

Heavy precipitation and melting snows caused a dam to give way at Zhylbulak village, with a population of 820 people. Another dam breached in Kyzyl-Agash village, the local emergencies ministry said.

"Saturday, bodies of 33 people, including 10 men, 16 women and seven children, were discovered," the ministry said in a statement Sunday.

It said 44 people, including 16 children, were admitted to hospital.

A road connecting the capital, Astana, with the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk was closed due to floods, Kazakhstan's transport ministry said.