Thursday, April 23 2020 16:56

ArmInfo.The Armenian government recognized the northern and Sevan water basins as low water level areas. The corresponding decision was made on April 23 at a  government meeting.

As the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia Erik  Grigoryan noted during presentation the draft decision, this measure  is primarily preventive and is aimed at promoting the agricultural  sector. The Minister informed that the data of the  Hydrometeorological Center on the amount of precipitation and  temperature values were taken as a basis. So, the main impact on the  river flow is provided by the snow cover, which this year was at a  minimum level. In addition, even taking into account significant  water inflows in 2020 through the Arpa-Sevan tunnel, the current  level of Lake Sevan has lower indicators than in 2019 and 2018 and  also, in comparison with last year, the filling of four reservoirs,  the water of which is used in the Ararat Valley, is significantly  behind. 

Meanwhile, as was emphasized, the recognition of the low water level  areas of the northern and Sevan basins as low water areas allows the  use of water resources to be coordinated based on priorities.  According to the draft decision, agriculture and irrigation of  farmland are considered priority areas. He recalled that thanks to  the relevant amendments to the Water Code, criteria mechanisms and a  clear assessment of low water indicators were previously introduced.  Thus, if necessary, the possibilities of redistributing the volumes  of water use can be used, directing them, for example, from  consumption by the hydroelectric power station for irrigation  purposes.

According to Grigoryan, the introduction of this tool will increase  the security of farms. Grigoryan also pointed out that, according to  international expert estimates, due to global climate change, an  increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation are  forecasted. In particular, by 2030, water resources may be reduced by  9%. Meanwhile, in Armenia, over the past decades, air temperature has  increased by 1.3 degrees. According to the minister, this  circumstance will not necessarily lead to a reduction in  precipitation, since the evaporation factor from the surface of water  resources is also taken into account in this matter. In view of the  foregoing, the importance of implementing programs for the  construction of new reservoirs was emphasized.