Today’s Water Flows Are the Highest Recorded in 65 Years: SHM

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (SHM) and the Armenian Hydro Meteorological Service (Hayhydromet), intensive rainfall was observed across the country from May 24-26 due to the infiltration of an active cyclone from the Mediterranean region. The highest levels of rainfall were recorded on the evening of May 25 and into the night of May 25-26. Particularly intense precipitation was noted in the Lori-Tavush region, where it totaled 40-55 mm, constituting 40-60% of the monthly norm.

As a result of the continuous intensive rainfalls, sharp increases in water levels were observed in the Debed and Aghstev river basins, rising more than 2 meters compared to the previous day's levels, leading to flooding in surrounding riverbank areas and causing significant damage to parts of the settlements.

Significant increases in water levels were recorded in the observation points on the morning of May 26. For instance, the water flow at the Debed-Ayrum hydrological observation point on the morning of May 26 was measured at 650 m³/s, compared to 119 m³/s the previous evening. At the Dzoraget-Gargarr observation point, the flow reached 350 m³/s from the previous 73.5 m³/s, and at the Tashir-Saratovka observation point, it was 75 m³/s, up from 16.6 m³/s the previous day.

The similar high water flows in the Debed river basin have not been recorded since May 19, 1959, when the maximum flows were 759 m³/s at the Debed-Ayrum observation point, 395 m³/s at the Dzoraget-Gargarr point, and 112 m³/s at the Tashir-Saratovka point. Consequently, it can be concluded that the water flows observed at these points on May 26 are the highest in the last 65 years and the second-highest in the entire observation period.

This May has been characterized by more active cyclonic activity, resulting in heavy rains, strong hailstorms, and low temperature backgrounds throughout the Republic. So far, the total precipitation across the Republic has exceeded the monthly norm, comprising 180-230% of it. This May could become the wettest on record in the country’s meteorological history.

Today, the cyclonic influence will persist across the territory; however, it is expected to significantly weaken compared to yesterday, with rain and thunderstorms anticipated in most regions, and isolated hail possible in some areas. From May 27-30, expected rains will be short-lived and mainly observed in the nighttime and evening hours.

As of May 26 at 13:00, the water levels in the Debed river basin were lower by 30-35 cm compared to the morning observations. Despite the anticipated precipitation, a decrease in water flows is expected in the rivers of the northern and northeastern regions from May 26-27.

The SHM’s Armenian Hydro Meteorological Service is monitoring the situation and will provide additional information as needed.