Sarsang Reservoir Water Level Drops by 50 Centimeters Daily

The water level of the Sarsang Reservoir is decreasing by 50 centimeters every day. This information was reported by Ararat Khachatryan, the acting chairman of the Water Committee of the Republic of Artsakh, in a conversation with an Armenpress correspondent, adding that the water resources of Sarsang have significantly diminished.

“The only source of electricity for Artsakh is currently the Sarsang Reservoir. Compared to the same period last year, we have a level that is more than 8 meters lower. Today, the inflow to the reservoir is 4 cubic meters per second, which is a very low figure. The Tartar flow can reach up to 30, 40, or 50 cubic meters per second. Currently, the expenditure is greater. When the water volume level in the reservoir is higher, less water is used to generate electricity. As this level decreases, the pressure also drops, and more water is needed to produce the same amount of electricity,” Khachatryan elaborated.

In his assessment, recent experience and relevant analysis show that it is impossible to restore the water level this year to the figures of the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, the sector official expressed hope that in spring, due to river swellings, the volume of water in Sarsang would increase; however, even in this case, it cannot be said that a satisfactory level will be ensured.

“Since January 9, Azerbaijan has obstructed and has not allowed emergency restoration work to be carried out in the area under its control, through which the high-voltage electricity line supplying power from Armenia to Artsakh passes. Until the blockade, especially in winter, when the electricity supplied from Armenia was insufficient, we relied on the Sarsang Reservoir. After the war, five small hydroelectric power plants remain in the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, which provide a very small volume of electricity, operating at 20 percent of their capacity,” the acting chairman of the Water Committee explained, emphasizing that if the sole high-voltage electric line supplying Artsakh from Armenia is not repaired soon, there will be a severe shortage of necessary electricity production and overall Sarsang water resources.

Earlier, the President of Artsakh noted that the water resources of the Sarsang Reservoir, with a capacity of nearly 600 million cubic meters, have been drastically reduced, which will create a serious crisis in spring and summer primarily for Azerbaijani farmers, as the water resources will not be sufficient to irrigate about 96,000 hectares in the Tartar, Aghdam, Barda, Goranboy, Yevlakh, and Aghjabadi regions of Azerbaijan. Therefore, the residents of these Azerbaijani regions should be aware that due to their authorities and self-proclaimed fake activists, they will not have irrigation water this year and will be deprived of food and income opportunities.