On the night of May 25, the Debed River overflowed, causing significant damage to the interstate road from Armenia to Georgia. The road is now closed in both directions, reports the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of Armenia.
The Ministry announced that the Armenia-Georgia road, which passes through Vanadzor and Dilijan and the "Bagratashen" checkpoint, is temporarily inaccessible. Alternative routes have been suggested via the "Gogavan" checkpoint (Tashir-Stepanavan-Vanadzor-Yerevan) and "Bavra" (Gyumri-Yerevan).
Due to the damage on the roads leading to the "Bagratashen" border crossing, the State Revenue Committee is urging businesses to temporarily route their cargo transport from Georgia to Armenia and back through the "Gogavan" or "Bavra" checkpoints.
It is reported that the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Gnel Sanosyan, along with ministry staff and representatives from the "Road Department" fund, are at the scene coordinating recovery efforts with the police, regional administration, and municipalities.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, the 31st kilometer of the Vanadzor-Alaverdi road is flooded, and a section approximately 50 meters long has collapsed.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reports several incidents on the section from Shnogh village to Teghut: a car, an Opel, fell into the river, and according to preliminary data, there is one casualty. On the Ayrum-Alaverdi road, a truck is blocked, completely submerged in water; two people are inside the cabin. In the town of Alaverdi, houses and barns have also been flooded.
"According to preliminary data, an elderly citizen fell into the river, and search and rescue operations are ongoing," stated the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
At the scene, 30 crews of the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Rescue Service, involving 324 rescuers, are working. Evacuation of residents from flooded homes is underway.
