Landslides in Russia's North Caucasus republic of Dagestan have destroyed homes and caused the evacuation of 82 people, emergency workers said on Saturday.

The landslides, which are moving at a speed of 15 cm an hour, are occurring in the town of Buynaksk, some 40 km from the republic's capital, Makhachkala.

"Three houses have already been totally destroyed and three damaged," an emergencies ministry official told RIA Novosti.

"Another six houses are in danger," he went on, adding that there were 26 children among the evacuees.