It has been decided to release water from the Mingachevir reservoir to the lower flow of the Kura River.
Medianews.az reports that the State Agency for State Water Reserves of Azerbaijan has issued this information.
The agency recalled that since the end of March, due to intensive rains in all regions of the republic, high water flow has been observed in cross-border rivers as well as internal rivers. Based on the forecast data from the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, considering that more water will enter the Shamkir and Mingachevir reservoirs located on the Kura River in May-June, it was decided, in coordination with the relevant authorities, to release 500 cubic meters of water per second from the Mingachevir reservoir to the lower flow of the Kura River from April 13, and 700 cubic meters per second from April 17. Simultaneously, due to the increased water inflow through the right and left tributaries of the Kura River—Aghstafachay, Karkarchay, Turyanchay, Agsuchay, Goychay, and Girdmanchay—and precipitation, there was no need to operate the pumping stations located on the Kura River. As a result, some local areas in several districts experienced water leaks from the auxiliary dam of the river, and flooding of the yards of several residential houses and pastures in the protected zone was recorded.
Considering the current situation, in order to timely prevent possible damages and to ensure coordinated activity with the relevant bodies and local operating departments, specialists from the Regional Water Melioration Service under the Agency and relevant divisions have been dispatched to the locations, and preventive measures have been taken to avoid potential damages.
To ensure efficient use of water resources in the country, improve water management, and coordinate activities in this field, based on the proposals of relevant bodies, it was decided at the meeting held on April 23 by the Commission established by the decree of the country's President on April 15, 2020, to monitor the daily operation mode of the Mingachevir reservoir and approve weekly regimes, with water being released to the lower flow of the Kura River.
From April 24, a gradual decrease in the water level of the Kura River was observed, varying between 30-105 cm in the territories of different districts. Currently, water is being discharged unhindered to the Caspian Sea along the course of the Kura River. Due to the flooding risk, pump units, pumps, and electrical equipment evacuated to safe areas by local operating departments are being reinstalled, water is gradually being removed from flooded areas, and the population continues daily normal economic activities.