List of Communities Declared Disaster Zones Released

The Armenian government has released the list of communities declared disaster zones due to heavy rainfall. According to the government's relevant decision, "Due to the emergencies caused by the floods resulting from torrential rain that fell in the Lori and Tavush regions of the Republic of Armenia on May 25-26, 2024, disaster zones have been declared in several communities of the Lori and Tavush regions, and their territories have been defined."

According to the list published by the government, disaster zones have been declared in 39 settlements across 9 communities in Tavush and Lori. The following towns and villages in Lori have been recognized as disaster zones: Tumanyan city, Dzoraget and Vahagnadzor villages of Pambak community, Alaverdi city as well as the towns of Akhtala and Shamlugh, and the villages of Akhtala, Bendik, Teghut, Haghpat, Jojkan, Mets Ayrum, Naghots, Shenokh, P'ok'r Ayrum, and Karkop, along with Tashir city and the villages of Dashtadem, Metsavan, Norashen, and Saratovka from Tashir community, as well as Stepanavan city and the villages of Amrakits and Hovatzar from Gyulagarak community.

From Tavush region, DiliJan city and Haghartsin village of the Dilijan community, Ijevan city along with the villages of Achajur, Gandzakhar, Getahovit, Ditavan, Lusadzor, and Khastarak from Ijevan community, and Ayrym city along with the villages of Arjis, Bagratashen, Debedavan, Ghakhtanak, and Ptghavan from Noyemberyan community have been declared disaster zones.

On May 26, the Debed river overflowed, causing destruction and fatalities in Lori and Tavush regions. Bridges and roads were damaged, and citizens were evacuated. The flooding also submerged a 31 km section of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi highway, destroying two bridges over the river and damaging the main highway and railway infrastructure. The rivers Aghstef and Tashir overflowed, with heavy rains also falling in Yerevan. To manage the extraordinary situation caused by the floods, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formed an operational headquarters.

On May 27, the Ministry of Internal Affairs published the names of 4 citizens who lost their lives due to the flooding in Tavush and Lori regions.