Pollution has reached Russia from the poisoned Amur river, which suffered a massive Benzene spill a month ago in China.

It prompted the Chinese authorities to cut off drinking water to people downstream; now the Russian city of Khaborovsk lies on its path.

The slick is now 180 kilometres long, and moving at 30 kilometres an hour.
"We're ready of course", says Emergencies minister Serguei Shoigu, "because we've worked really hard, including building a dam, the water purification facilities...and there's the entire system of preparing the city and the region for the passing of the slick".

Unlike in Harbin, the major Chinese city to be affected, the Russian authorities have not yet detected any abnormal pollution levels. They have not needed to cut off public water supplies, but are prepared to if there is an emergency.

Tests on the river water will be conducted on a regular basis, and cleaning is being attempted using carbon filters.

PHOTO CAPTION

Residents collect water outside the Siberian town of Khabarovsk. (AFP)