More than four thousand residents have been evacuated from the Derbent district of Dagestan following a dam breach at the Gedzhukh reservoir. The incident, reported by the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) on Monday, April 6, was triggered by heavy rainfall and a significant rise in water levels, leading to damage to critical hydraulic structures. Four micro-districts were identified as being at high risk of inundation, prompting the preventive relocation of their inhabitants to safer areas.
To swiftly assess the extent of the disaster, an operational group from EMERCOM, led by the head of the regional department, was dispatched to the area. They were joined by a representative from Rostechnadzor (the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision), with specialists arriving on-site aboard an Mi-8 helicopter.
EMERCOM continues its monitoring of the evolving flood situation, which has been exacerbated by persistent heavy rains. Several cities across Dagestan had already experienced significant flooding, including Makhachkala, Dagestanskiye Ogni, and Derbent. Despite a temporary improvement after drainage systems were cleared, the situation worsened again as local rivers overflowed their banks, resulting in the submersion of bridges, streets, and numerous residential buildings.
