Putin sacks Russia's forestry body head
Source: Agencies |
August 21, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RUSSIAN Prime Minister Vladimir Putin yesterday sacked Russia's forestry agency chief, who had come under fierce criticism over the failure to prevent the summer's devastating wildfires.
Putin dismissed Rosleskhoz head Alexei Savinov and replaced him with his deputy, Viktor Maslyakov. Putin has previously criticized the agency for failing to efficiently use the government funds allocated for fire prevention.
A heat wave unprecedented in 130 years of record-keeping has triggered thousands of wildfires in Russia. More than 50 people have been killed and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed.
The number of deaths in Moscow during the worst of the scorching heat and smog was double the number recorded last year, city officials said. Health experts said many of the deaths were caused by heart and respiratory diseases.
More than 200 people have drowned in Moscow this summer, up from 80 people last year, as they sought relief from the heat, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing city figures. Many of those who drown in rivers and ponds are intoxicated, city officials say.
Heavy rain drenched Moscow yesterday, helping firefighters battle the remaining wildfires on the city's outskirts.
A cold front that hit western Russia has ended the two-month heat wave and cleared skies over Moscow from the smog. Temperatures in the city fell from 32 degrees Celsius to 9 degrees Celsius in two days.
Putin dismissed Rosleskhoz head Alexei Savinov and replaced him with his deputy, Viktor Maslyakov. Putin has previously criticized the agency for failing to efficiently use the government funds allocated for fire prevention.
A heat wave unprecedented in 130 years of record-keeping has triggered thousands of wildfires in Russia. More than 50 people have been killed and more than 2,000 homes have been destroyed.
The number of deaths in Moscow during the worst of the scorching heat and smog was double the number recorded last year, city officials said. Health experts said many of the deaths were caused by heart and respiratory diseases.
More than 200 people have drowned in Moscow this summer, up from 80 people last year, as they sought relief from the heat, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing city figures. Many of those who drown in rivers and ponds are intoxicated, city officials say.
Heavy rain drenched Moscow yesterday, helping firefighters battle the remaining wildfires on the city's outskirts.
A cold front that hit western Russia has ended the two-month heat wave and cleared skies over Moscow from the smog. Temperatures in the city fell from 32 degrees Celsius to 9 degrees Celsius in two days.
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