Yerevan, April 13 – Gurjyan Street in Yerevan experienced significant water accumulation during last night’s rains, a recurring issue caused by soil and rock runoff from adjacent slopes. This was announced today, April 13, by Arsen Karoyan, Head of the Communal Economy Department of the Yerevan City Hall, during a regular operational meeting.
Recurring Problem on Gurjyan Street
Karoyan explained, “The runoff accumulates directly on the storm drain receivers, leading to water stagnation. Specialists then go and clear these grates on site, after which the water is easily absorbed. The main causes have been stones and soil carried down from the slopes.”
Mayor Tigran Avinyan inquired about the long-term solutions being considered. “Because we believe that it is normal for a month’s worth of precipitation to fall in one or two days, and we will continue to have such incidents. We have specific locations where we have problems, and local solutions are needed.”
In response, Karoyan stated, “We will definitely find a local solution. We already have a preliminary agreement with ‘Veolia’ specialists to go and study the site. We will likely increase the number of storm drain grates to allow for a greater volume of water to be absorbed.”
City-wide Drainage System Improvements
Regarding issues in other parts of Yerevan, Karoyan highlighted, “Problems occurred in the Sebastia area and near the Yerablur Pantheon. Currently, we have inventoried the need for 50 storm drain addresses across Yerevan and have projects, two of which have already been funded. Funds have already been allocated for the construction of a storm drain system in the Sebastia area to carry out work there.”
It is worth noting that this section of Gurjyan Street has been experiencing significant flooding after every rainfall for a very long time, often trapping vehicles. Yesterday’s rain was no exception.
Broader Context of Urban Flooding
The persistent flooding on Gurjyan Street is indicative of a wider challenge faced by Yerevan, particularly with increasing intensity of rainfall events. The city’s aging infrastructure, coupled with geographical factors like surrounding slopes, contributes to these issues. The Mayor’s emphasis on local solutions and the inventory of 50 problematic addresses suggest a concerted effort to upgrade the municipal drainage system.
The collaboration with ‘Veolia,’ a company often involved in water management, points towards a professional approach to engineering solutions, such as increasing the capacity of existing storm drains or installing new ones in critical areas. The funding of projects in areas like Sebastia further demonstrates the city’s commitment to mitigating flood risks and improving urban resilience.
This ongoing initiative aims to prevent disruptions to daily life, protect property, and ensure the safety of residents during periods of heavy precipitation. The City Hall’s proactive stance in addressing these long-standing issues signifies a step towards modernizing Yerevan’s urban infrastructure.
