Officials say flood waters are receding, although a second flood wave is approaching the city.
The dam protecting the city of 200,000 people is thought to be strong enough to withstand the surge. Residents had prepared to evacuate after floodwaters from the river came close to washing over the dam. Russian emergency workers and student volunteers had been working to reinforce dikes around the city. Some flooding occurs along the Lena River every spring, but this year it is said to be the worst in more than a century. Elsewhere in Siberia, flooding is also a concern along the Yenisey River which is threatening the republic of Tuva and the Krasnoyarsk region.