TODAY.AZ / Society

Mudflows threaten Azerbaijan

07 July 2015 [11:19] - TODAY.AZ

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan is often confronted with the problem of river flooding and it is one of the countries most prone to mud flows in the world.

The nearby Caucasus Mountain rage greatly increases the risk of heavy rains and mudflows in the country.

The preceding statement was made by Elbrus Alizade, the deputy director of the Geography Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, while commenting on the flooding that took place in Tbilisi and Sochi this June.

The devastating flood, lasting throughout the night of June 14, claimed the lives of 19 people in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi. The natural disaster left dozens of families without shelter, damaged major roadways, and destroyed a significant part of the city’s zoo.

Alizade says that since the spring was quite rainy this year, river depth increased dramatically and soil and rock fragments that appeared in the small mountain river basins were washed away by heavy flooding.

The scientist noted that mud flows seen in the country’s Gabala and Oguz regions a month ago, proves that the risk of mud flows still remains in Azerbaijan.

If the volume of precipitation will be below normal in the next two or three months, where the current forecast now stands, then there will be an accumulation of solid material in riverbeds throughout the country. If then heavy rains similar to the kinds seen in the North Caucasus and Georgia were to fall in Azerbaijan, then the country should most certainly expect mudflows.

However, Alizade added that compared to last year, mudflows are expected to not be as powerful.

The rivers of southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, in particular in the basins of the Shinchay, Kishchay, Demiraparanchay and partially the basin of Girdimanchay, weak mud flows expected, according to the scientist.

It’s unlikely that Azerbaijan’s other regions will experience strong mud flows, the scientist stressed.

Alizade also noted that floods would be unlikely in the summer.

“There is little snow in the mountains and the forecasts predict little rain this summer. That’s why we do not expect severe flooding by the first few months of autumn in Azerbaijan. At the same time, middle and the weak force mud flows are possible to be held in the basins of some rivers, however, floods are not expected,” the deputy director said.

Earlier, Alizade mentioned that as compared to the 1960-70s, areas prone to mudflows in Azerbaijan have grown by least by 2-2.5 times.

If in the past strong mudflows in the Sheki-Zagatala region were seen every 5-7 years, then now this interval is 2-3 years, the scientist said.

The southern slope of the Greater Caucasus (Skeki-Zagatala region) is considered one of the most dangerous areas for mudflows not only in the Caucasus, but also throughout the world.

The development of livestock, the excessive use of summer pastures, as well as grazing in the alpine and subalpine meadows led to a decrease in vegetation. As a result, the number of areas in danger of mudflows increased.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/142030.html

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