Flights late on Thursday and on Friday suffered disruption due to smog caused by blazes in dry woodland made vulnerable by the current heat wave.

‘Taiga burning’ - as scared bears are driven out of their natural habitat towards settlements where they are shot as danger to people.

Heavy rain wreaked havoc in Altai region, and also brought an unexpected visitor.

Problems may not be over yet, warn meteorologists, as police are on high alert in 14 areas.

Schoolboy 'finds giant footprint in clay near campsite'.

But is climate change to blame, or local officials who went on vacation instead of fighting fires?

Residents marooned on rooftops after snow melt and heavy rain causes Karasul River to burst its banks.

Lena Pillars, a World Heritage Site, hit by the rampant flames, as calls grow for greater efforts to tackle infernos.

Oleg Fedyura drowned on way to waterlogged district when his vehicle was swept away while crossing river.