ArmInfo.A meeting of the RA government began on May 30 with an expression of condolences to all the families of those killed in the severe flood that occurred on May 25- 26 in the Lori and Tavush regions of Armenia.
"On behalf of the government and myself personally, I express condolences to all the families of the victims," RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
In turn, the head of the operational headquarters to overcome the consequences of the natural disaster, the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan noted that these days the water flows in the Debet River amounted to 650 cubic meters per second. For example, today this figure is 102 cubic meters. A similar situation was also observed in the rivers Agstev, Tashir and their tributaries. The flood led to catastrophic consequences. 456 rescuers were involved in the rescue work, through whose efforts 443 citizens were evacuated. Currently, in the area of Sanahin station alone there are 141 people who find themselves on the other side of the river, and who are provided with everything they need. The flood killed 4 people.
Sanosyan noted that by the decision of the Prime Minister, the region was recognized as a disaster zone. The established operational headquarters to eliminate the consequences of the disaster is carrying out work to assess the extent of the damage caused and carry out priority work. The region's infrastructure suffered enormous damage. Along the railway line alone, in its various sections, destruction was recorded along 2 kilometers, mainly from Ayrum station to Sanahin station. In addition to the railway itself, substations and power line supports were damaged. It will take a long period of time to restore the railway.
As for roads, as Sanosyan noted, the main damage as a result of the rampant disaster was caused to interstate roads M4 and M6. There are 10 damaged sections recorded on the M4 road, 5 of which are significant, especially in the Dilijan-Ijevan direction. The M6 road is damaged in 43 sections, in five of which there is no need to talk about the road. However, one of these areas was restored; work on the rest continues. In particular, the road from Noyemberyan to Bagratashen turned out to be washed out, as a result of which the checkpoint on the border with Georgia did not work for one day. After the water level dropped, this road was cleared and traffic in the direction of the checkpoint was restored. However, the road from Vanadzor to Ayrum remains closed.
The minister also reported that there are about 20 damaged bridges, the largest of which are the bridges in Sanahin, Akhtala, Ayrum, Karpot and Ashtarak. The bridges in Akhtala and Karpot were especially severely damaged, which cut off 7 settlements, including Alaverdi, from communication with the outside world. Providing food to local residents is carried out through the mountains.
There are also serious damages to the water management system. Many water pipes and wastewater treatment systems are clogged with sand and there is no real way to assess the damage caused. A number of settlements were cut off from water supply systems. Water supply has been partially restored in Dilijan. Today, the main problem is the provision of water to the Akhtala community, where water is delivered through water tankers.
Sanosyan noted that there are also destructions of buildings and structures, the largest of which were recorded in Sanahin, Alaverdi and Karpot. In the latter case, all residents were evacuated; yesterday 30 rescuers worked there; today this number will be increased to 100. He also said that the needs of local residents are being assessed on a daily basis, and work is underway to improve the damaged infrastructure.
Sanosyan pointed out the need to develop programs for the restoration of the disaster zone, in which it is important to provide tax benefits for affected entrepreneurs, explore opportunities for writing off loan obligations, and develop a procedure for compensation for losses incurred.
In turn, Nikol Pashinyan pointed out the need to return to the idea of applying uniform standards in the construction of roads and bridges. It is equally important to pay more attention to the quality of work.
Meanwhile, RA Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan called for clarification of the volume of assistance expected from foreign partners so that the expected assistance would be targeted.