Attachments
Date of event
26-05-2024
What happened, where and when?
A severe flash flood struck the Lori and Tavush regions in Armenia on 26 May 2024, following heavy rain the previous day. Between Alaverdi and Chochkan, the flooding affected at least 15 villages, including Alaverdi, Akhtala, Bagratashen, Bendik, Deghdsavan, Haghtanak, Karkop, Mets Ayrum, Pokr Ayrum, Sanahin, Shamlug, and Shnogh. The flooding resulted in significant damage to infrastructure, homes, livestock, and businesses. Based on the latest national population census of Armenia, the combined population of these villages exceeds 30,000 people. Therefore, the impact on these people was imminent.
The National Crisis Management Center of the Armenian Ministry of Internal Affairs received the first reports of the Debed River overflowing overnight on 26 May at 00:40, creating an extreme situation for residents of neighboring settlements. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formed an operational headquarters at the regional level under the leadership of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan, and localized it in Alaverdi. The government, regional authorities, local rescue services, and municipalities worked diligently to respond to the emergency and help the affected population.
Since the event began, emergency and rescue operations were carried out in both flood-affected regions of Lori and Tavush. On 28 May, the Armenian government declared a disaster zone in the communities of the Tavush and Lori regions. The decision was formalized in Resolution nr. 492-A issued on 28 May 2024 by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia.
At the onset of the disaster, the Armenian Red Cross Society (ARCS) mobilized its volunteers and disaster response teams to the affected areas, assisting the local authorities in search and rescue efforts. A Federation-wide assessment team (ARCS, IFRC, Italian Red Cross) performed rapid needs assessment activities in the country on 29 and 30 May 2024.
From the beginning, the government and responsible agencies organized a rapid response to support the affected communities with rescue services, assess the needs of the affected population, and support the restoration of viability and infrastructure, re-establishment of communication, and basic services (potable water, gas, electricity).
The Municipality of Alaverdi and related extended communities actively addressed the primary needs of affected areas, including food supply. Efforts were also made to transfer individuals with destroyed homes to temporary shelters.