River water level to rise in Armenia - minister

ArmInfo. Increased river runoff is being observed in Armenia due to the penetration of an active cyclone from the south. Armenian Minister of Environment Hambardzum Matevosyan reported this on his Facebook page.

He recalled that the Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center of the  Armenian Ministry of Environment had previously reported that  periodic precipitation would be observed in most regions of the  country on March 27-28, with sleet in mountainous areas and rain in  foothill and valley areas. "In some regions, precipitation will be  accompanied by low horizontal visibility and wind speeds of up to  14-17 m/s. Heavy precipitation is expected in some areas of Syunik  and Vayots Dzor, as well as in the Lori and Tavush regions on March  27-28," Matevosyan noted. Due to expected precipitation, he noted,  increased water flow is expected in the Republic's rivers,  particularly in the Voghji, Gorisget, Meghriget, Arpa, Debed, and  Aghstev river basins. "Relevant agencies in the regions are working  in an enhanced, emergency mode, implementing preventive and urgent  measures to ensure control of the situation. We ask that you follow  only official announcements and instructions from government  agencies," the minister noted.

Against this backdrop, the press service of the Road Department of  Armenia reported that heavy rainfall had caused rockfalls and other  obstacles on roads in the Syunik region.

The rescue service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia  reported that the collapse of a dam on the Voghji River resulted in  water spilling onto city roads and stranding vehicles. "In Kapan,  heavy rains caused a dam on Arzumanyan Street to collapse, causing  water from the Voghji River to spill onto the roadway. As a result,  vehicles are stranded," the press service of the Rescue Service of  the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia reported.