ArmInfo. When the water level in the river began to rise at night, evacuation work began. RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan responded in a similar way to the question of why Armenia did not start the evacuation of citizens in advance, following the example of Georgia.
"In addition to the fact that residents, seeing gaps, independently left their houses or settlements, another 429 were evacuated by rescue services. In the event of such a large natural disaster, there could have been more victims if not for the prompt work," the minister said, adding that the number of victims due to the flood had reached 4.
Sanosyan noted that there were certain forecasts regarding expected precipitation. But the problems and work that had to be faced as a result of the natural disaster turned out to be, according to the minister, unpredictable.
According to the Ministry of Environment, since the evening of May 25, half of the monthly rainfall norm has been recorded in Tavush and Lori regions. The water level in the Debed and Aghstev rivers rose by 2 meters. In the country as a whole, the level of precipitation exceeded the monthly norm by more than 2 times. There was information about the start of rescue operations on the morning of May 26 26. On behalf of the Prime Minister, an operational headquarters was established headed by Minister Gnel Sanosyan.
As Governor of Kvemo-Kartli Giorgi Dokhturishvili, previously noted, as a preventive measure, the population was evacuated in Georgia from the night of May 26: "It rained all night. Particularly severe consequences were observed in the municipalities of Marneuli, Tetritskaro, Bolnisi and Dmanisi. Communications were interrupted with more than 15 villages. Bridges are destroyed, rescuers are working 24 hours a day."