Elimination of the Consequences of Natural Disasters in Russia in the Late XIX – Early XX Centuries: Flood of 1897 in Transbaikalia

The study examines the mitigation of consequences arising from natural disasters in late 19th-century Russia, with a particular focus on the 1897 flood in the Transbaikalia region. The history of disasters – both anthropogenic and natural – not only encompasses the narratives of destruction, loss, and human casualties but also reflects episodes of human courage, selflessness, and compassion. The relevance of this research is under-scored by the imperative to analyze historical experiences of disaster response in Russia, a matter of heightened significance amid contemporary climatic changes. The aim of the study is to investigate the adaptive mechanisms employed by local populations in response to catastrophic events, the structure and efficacy of governmental and societal relief efforts, as well as the long-term socio-economic ramifications of such disasters. A central problem addressed is the insufficient scholarly attention devoted to the regional particularities of natural catastrophes in pre-revolutionary Russia and their impact on the peripheral territories’ socio-economic development. Methodologically, the research employs a historical-comparative approach, supplemented by statistical and cartographic analyses, alongside a critical examination of archival documents and modern journalistic sources. The article highlights that the catastrophic flood of 1897 was precipitated by anomalous precipitation patterns, resulting in extensive infra-structural damage and disruption. While state and civil relief mechanisms partially alleviated the incurred losses, their overall effectiveness remained constrained. The findings underscore the vulnerability of traditional economic systems to extreme natural events and emphasize the necessity for the development and implementation of pro-active preventive strategies to enhance resilience against future disasters.