The Amur river in far east Russia has burst its banks after heavy rain, forcing more than 20,000 people to flee their homes.
The Amur and Khabarovsk regions, near the Chinese border, are worst affected.
The RIA Novosti news agency reports 166 temporary shelters have been set up across three regions.
Russian TV showed footage of armoured personnel carriers and amphibious military vehicles carrying civilians to safety from flooded areas.
Soldiers have been deployed to guard abandoned homes to prevent looting.
The Itar-Tass news agency reports the flood in the Amur region has now practically passed its peak.
