Huge ice blocks dammed northern Russia's Pinega and Severnaya Dvina rivers on Wednesday, causing the river levels to suddenly rise more than 16 feet and forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents of the district of Pinezhskiy.

Experts from the Emergencies Ministry used explosives to blow up the seven-mile-long stretch of ice later in the day.

Ongoing rain and early snow melt has triggered severe flooding in the nearby district of Archangel, completely swamping several cities and outlying communities. Rescue work continued throughout the region on Wednesday as authorities flew in emergency supplies.