At least a hundred and seventy-two people have died in a horrific flood in southern Russia, and the final number of victims is likely to be much higher. Torrential rains and overflowing mountain rivers generated a wall of water that covered the town of Krymsk and settlements around it, crushing everything in its way; light constructions were smashed, cars were overturned and dragged away, and this town of about sixty thousand filled with mud and debris.