Pashinyan: Our Russian partners are carrying out large-scale work to  restore rail service in disaster zone

ArmInfo.Restoration work is underway at an active pace in the disaster zone. This was announced  at a government meeting on June 6 by head of the operational headquarters for the elimination of the consequences of the May 26 floods, RA Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure  Gnel Sanosyan.

According to him, many areas affected by the natural disaster have  been completely cleaned of mud and dirt. Four temporary pedestrian  bridges have been erected, which has significantly facilitated land  communication between residents of the affected regions. Tomorrow,  another bridge will be put into operation, but this time for  automobile transport, which will allow communication between seven  settlements. Gas, electricity and water supply have been restored by  90%. The Minister emphasized that the first cargo of gasoline and  diesel fuel after the flood arrived by rail in Armenia, at the Ayrum  station bordering Georgia. Moreover, as the Minister noted, the  volumes of gasoline and diesel fuel significantly exceed the number  of vehicles, and for this reason, work is currently underway to  attract additional equipment. Sanosyan also reported that the  restoration of rail communication continues at an active pace. 

For his part, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that at the  moment it remains to clean the surroundings of Karpot village.  Pashinyan highlighted the work of Russian partners, who are carrying  out large-scale work to restore rail communication. According to the  Prime Minister, the Armenian authorities are also actively working  with international partners on the issue of building new bridges, and  Yerevan hopes for their assistance. Pashinyan expressed hope that the  issue of the extent of the damage will be determined in the very near  future so that specific restoration programs can be presented to  international partners.

Meanwhile, as noted by the head of the Armenian MFA Ararat Mirzoyan,  at least several partners have already expressed such readiness,  especially in terms of bridge construction. On other issues, the  partners are waiting for clarification of the areas of assistance. 

On May 26, due to heavy rains, the Debed and Agstev rivers overflowed  their banks. As a result of the flood, four people died, several  hundred citizens were evacuated, and significant destruction of roads  and infrastructure was recorded in the Lori and Tavush regions of the  republic.  According to information provided by the Ministry of  Internal Affairs on May 26, the natural disaster damaged roads,  bridges and railways. The main impact of the natural disaster was  felt by the Lori region.  About 50 meters of the road were destroyed  on the Vanadzor-Alaverdi highway, several houses and outbuildings at  the Ayrum railway station were flooded, the bridge over the Debed  River connecting the Sanahin station with the city of Alaverdi was  destroyed. In addition, international train services on the  Yerevan-Tbilisi-Yerevan route were cancelled by the South Caucasus  Railways company due to a landslide on the Ayrum-Akhtala section.