KURA RIVER NEARLY SWALLOWS ONE OF AZERBAIJANI REGIONS - UPDATE - PHOTOS

The crisis center created to eliminate aftermath of the flood in Bayramli village of Shirvan City and Sabirabad region has started its work. Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Orujali Hajiyev chairs the center. The center functions in Garaguna village of Sabirabad region and at the State Traffic Office.

Deputy Prime Minister Abid Sharifov and Chairman of Melioration and Water Economy OJSC Ahmad Ahmadzade are also at the site, along with Minister of Emergency Situations Kemaleddin Heydarov.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations has issued a statement regarding the flood that has hit the south-eastern Azerbaijan.

“Difficult situation has occurred in some cities and regions across republic due to the floods in Kura and Araz Rivers,” the statement said.

Measures are being taken to eliminate consequences of the natural disaster with the help of more than 800 personnel, 186 equipment, 57 motor pumps and 63 water pumps.

The Ministry officers are pumping waters from residential areas located on the bank of Kura River in Shirvan City, as well as in Bayramli and Hajigahramanli villages, administrative center and Garachala, Kur Garagashli, Arabgardashli, Chukhanli, Seyidan, Karabaghli, Pambigkand, Tazakand, Jangan, Nokhudlu villages of Salyan region. Moreover, they try to reinforce the 500-meter longitude dam over Kura River. Dam reinforcement works are underway in administrative centers and in a number of villages of the Sabirabad, Saatli and Imishli regions.

Appropriate measures are also being taken in administrative center and Banke, Khilli, Asaghi Garamanli, Yenikand villages of Neftchala region, Ranjbar, Abdulabad, Kolani, Meyniman, Alatli and Durband villages of Hajigabul region, as well as in Kurdamir, Zardab, Beylagan and Aghjabadi regions.

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13:58

A crisis center has been launched to eliminate consequences of the flood in Bayramli village of the Shirvan city. Helicopters were involved as well. Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Orujali Hajiyev arrived at the site.

People are being evacuated through boats. The railway bridge on the Kura is the only road to evacuate people. The water level of the Kura River in Bayramli settlement still continues to rise.
The river is moving towards the villages of Sabirabad region.

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11:20

The situation with the flooding is quite critical. Reportedly, this morning in the city of Shirvan, the water broke through the dam surged into the Bayramli village. Reportedly, the torrents flooded almost the entire village. Dozens of homes are underwater. As of now, extra measures are being taken in the aftermath of the disaster.

The situation in Salyan region is no better - the water levels have reportedly risen 6cm up. Nearly 200 soldiers from units of the Civil Defence Emergency are at the place, doing their best to prevent the floods, and  take care of the civilians. Reportedly, a lot of heavy equipment has also been brought to the region for emergency purposes.


/ANS PRESS, APA/