Armenian government will not leave flood-affected population alone:  Prime Minister

ArmInfo.Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan visited the disaster zone, Lori and Tavush regions, and got acquainted with the progress of rehabilitation works in the flood-affected settlements.

As reported by the press service of the RA government, the first stop of the Prime Minister was on the 31st km section of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi M6 interstate highway, near the "Tufenkian" hotel. The progress of the works was presented to the Head of the Government and it was noted that the collapsed road was filled, retaining walls were installed, as a result of which the traffic was restored. Traffic on the road collapsed by floods in Marts village section of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi interstate road was also restored through filling.  Next, Nikol Pashinyan visited the Sanahin Station district of Alaverdi and talked with the residents. It was reported that the works of eliminating the consequences of flooding and restoring infrastructure are also in progress there.

The Prime Minister visited Tumanyan Street in Alaverdi, where restoration works were also carried out. As a result, operation of some shops and service facilities has been resumed.

The Head of the Government visited Akhtala settlement, which was isolated due to the collapse of the bridge. Construction of the temporary bridge is currently underway. The bridge is being built with metal constructions, designed for passenger cars. It will provide connection to 6 settlements. Emphasis was placed on the prompt and quality implementation of works. At the same time, it was reported that the operational headquarters of the government provided the local residents with the necessary food and other basic necessities. Nikol Pashinyan also visited Chochkan settlement, which had been isolated due to floods, but the connection of which with other settlements has been restored.

Next, the Prime Minister visited Karkop, where rehabilitation works are also being carried out after the floods. Water and electricity supply have also been partially restored here.  Nikol Pashinyan visited Ayrum, where railway bridge was damaged by floods, the customs terminal of the "Damuar Group" company in Ayrum was also damaged.

In Tavush region, the Prime Minister familiarized himself with the service of the border guard troops of the NSS stationed in the Baghanis-Kirants sector. Here, Prime Minister Pashinyan was informed that during the day no violation of the border was recorded, no extraordinary incidents and accidents occurred.

The Head of the Government also familiarized himself with the progress of the construction of Kirants new road, and the repair works of the existing Kirants-Acharkut road. The Prime Minister instructed the officials to pay special attention to the quality implementation of the works and emphasized the importance of putting them into operation within the specified time.

Nikol Pashinyan was also in Khashtarak, where the local bridge collapsed due to floods. It was reported that the settlement has an alternate route. Despite this, the Prime Minister instructed to start the reconstruction works of the bridge as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister's visit ended with a consultation held at the Tavush Governor's Office, which was attended by Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs - Director of the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Kamo Tsutsulyan, Chairman of the Urban Development Committee Yeghiazar Vardanyan, Governors of Lori and Tavush, heads of flood-affected communities and other officials.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that a decision should be made to provide support for the repair or restoration of apartments to the affected owners according to the square meter of the apartment. At the same time, it was emphasized that support will also be provided in the direction of furnishing. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government will not leave the flood-affected population alone. Nikol Pashinyan added that another solution will be developed for the residential buildings affected by the floods.

The Prime Minister emphasized the implementation of supplies through temporarily built bridges and emphasized that new bridges will be built in place of the broken bridges, taking into account the experience with floods. "In my opinion, the priority is to support people to return to their apartments. In most of them, it is not possible to live without significant repair work," said Nikol Pashinyan and instructed the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Urban Development Committee and the regional administrations to submit recommendations on priorities. "It is necessary to focus on the things that are necessary to restore the normal life of people," said the Prime Minister.

On May 26, northern Armenia experienced flooding caused by heavy rainfall, heavy rain and the overflow of the Debed River, causing significant destruction of infrastructure and the death of at least four people.  According to information provided by the republic's Ministry of Internal Affairs on May 26, the disaster damaged roads, bridges and railway lines. In order to eliminate the consequences of the disaster, an operational group was formed under the leadership of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia Gnel Sanosyan.