Photos: Preliminary data shows 232 citizens evacuated from dangerous areas

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reports on incidents and accidents due to heavy rainfall in the Lori and Tavush provinces, as well as in Yerevan, resulting from the overflow of the Debed, Akhtala, and Tashir rivers.

Starting from May 25, 2024, at 23:00, numerous alerts were received at the emergency management national center and regional crisis management centers regarding flooding in buildings and basement areas in Yerevan, Lori, and Tavush provinces, in addition to incidents caused by the river overflows.

As a result of the overflow of the Debed River, the 31st km section of the M6 highway between Vanadzor and Alaverdi was flooded, collapsing approximately 50 meters of the road. Several houses on Kayan Street near the Ayri station were submerged. In the area from Shenog to Teghut, an Opel vehicle fell into the river (preliminary reports indicate there is 1 victim). One truck was blocked on the Ayri-Alaverdi road (completely submerged with 2 citizens trapped in the cabin). There are flooded houses and animal shelters in Alaverdi city.

Preliminary data suggests that an elderly citizen fell into the river, and search and rescue operations are ongoing. As of 07:00, the bridge over the Debed River on the road to the Karkop community in Alaverdi has collapsed. The settlement is flooded. On the road to Akhtala, the bridge over the Debed River is submerged; there may be collapsed sections, and sedimentary areas and fallen columns can be seen on the railway.

On M6 highway in Alaverdi city, Tumanyan Street, Saragyul Street leading to Sanahin, and the cemetery section of M6 are completely flooded, with noticeable complete sections collapsed. The bridge connecting the Sanahin station to Alaverdi city has completely collapsed.

Due to the river overflow, the road in the Shenog-Teghut area has completely collapsed. Preliminary data reports a vehicle in the river on the M6-Teghut section, and there is a citizen within the vehicle.

In Pambak community, the road near the Kobair-Zoraget section of the M6 has completely collapsed in several areas. Three vehicles are trapped in that section. Seventy residents of Zoraget community have been evacuated to a safe area.

In Tashir municipality, households and animal shelters have been flooded due to rising water levels from the Tashir River's mud floods, and citizens have been evacuated.

At one of the gas stations in Alaverdi, compressors have submerged in water, and preliminary data suggest an explosion occurred due to a short circuit in wires.

In Vanadzor, Stepanavan, and Amrak village, houses have been flooded. Units from the Ministry of Emergencies have responded to all incidents. A total of 7 firefighting teams from the Lori Regional Rescue Service, 2 operational groups, 5 firefighting teams from the Tavush Regional Rescue Service, and 1 operational group have been deployed.

In Yerevan, the emergency service has responded to 13 incidents, including 2 cases involving vehicles trapped in water and mud (on Tamantsin Street, New Khachatur) and 11 cases related to flooding in residential buildings, basement areas, under bridges, and parking lots. In other cases, alerts have been forwarded to the relevant authorities.

A total of 8 firefighting teams from the Yerevan Rescue Service have been engaged in water removal operations, with 1 group from the Special Rescue Operations Center and 2 operational groups (Easy Rescue, Yerevan Rescue) also involved. The teams have carried out water removal work, and one group has intervened in 2 cases of towing.

As of now, preliminary reports indicate that there are no casualties or injuries due to flooding in Yerevan. According to preliminary data, 232 citizens have been evacuated from dangerous areas, including 28 from the Tufenkian hotel complex, 62 from Tashir city, 22 from Alaverdi city, 110 from Sanahin station, 2 from Dilijan city, 7 from Ayri, and 1 from Haghartsin community.

As of 11:30, 30 rescue teams from the Ministry of Emergencies are on-site, employing 324 rescue personnel. The Ministry's rescue service has entered a state of intensified operation. Search and rescue and emergency recovery operations continue.