Heavy Rains Cause Flooding, Collapses, and Water Accumulations in Yerevan

Heavy rains in Yerevan have led to flooding, collapses, and significant water accumulations. This information was reported by the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES).

From May 3 to 4, during the period from 23:45 to 12:00, the MES emergency management national center received 2111 calls regarding 267 incidents related to heavy rainfall. Specifically, incidents occurred in the buildings and office areas located in the Erebuni, Kentron, Norq Marash, Nor Nork, Davtashen, and Shengavit administrative districts of Yerevan, including flooding and collapses. Several reports were also received regarding vehicles trapped and hindered by water.

By the order of MES Director and Deputy Minister, Colonel Kamo Tsutsulyan, the rescue service divisions have entered a state of heightened service. In the response process, 20 firefighters and rescuers from the Yerevan and regional rescue departments of the MES and five operational teams from the special rescue work center of the MES were involved, with a total of 121 rescuers participating in the operations.

During the specified period, the MES rescue service units addressed 74 incidents, including three collapse cases (a concrete retaining wall near the 50th street of Nor Aresh on the Voghjaberd River, a fencing wall at 20 G. Hovsepyan St., Norq Marash, about 20 square meters, and a partition wall of a house on Davit Bek St., about 60 square meters), four cases of vehicles trapped in water (on Kristapori, Vardanants, Gyurjyan streets, under the bridge on Bagratuniats Avenue), and 67 cases of flooding in residential buildings, office areas, and garages.

At the site of the collapse emergency near the 50th street of Nor Aresh, rescuers determined that the houses and streets adjacent to the river were flooded. The rescuers, with special equipment (tractor) provided by the municipality, cleared the riverbed, moved reinforced concrete structures, conducted water drainage from flooded houses using a motopump, and sealed damaged areas of the dam with sand-filled bags. The rescue operations continued throughout the night, overseen by MES Director and Deputy Minister, Colonel Kamo Tsutsulyan.

Another report indicated that the yard at 57 Davit Bek St. was flooded and the partition wall had collapsed, necessitating assistance. Upon arrival, rescuers found that the concrete partition wall separating 57 and an adjacent house had collapsed due to rainwater (60 square meters), but no action was required at the time.

In the Norq Marash administrative district, a fencing wall (about 20 square meters) collapsed at 20 G. Hovsepyan St. due to torrential rains, damaging a gas pipeline and resulting in a gas leak. Firefighters conducted standby duty until the emergency gas service personnel arrived.

With other registered incidents, rescuers performed water drainage and vehicle recovery operations on-site. Motopumps and other rescue equipment were utilized in the ongoing urgent recovery work. Preliminary data indicates that there are no casualties or injuries resulting from the flooding. Operations are ongoing.