Armenian geologist predicts environmental disasters in Yerevan

The disorder prevailing in transportation of the soil layer excavated during construction works in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, will lead to environmental disasters, the Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Geology of Yerevan State University, PhD in Geology, Associate Professor Marat Grigoryan said in an interview with the local press, Report informs.

Stony soils are poured into Razdan (Lower Akhta - Azerbaijani toponym - ed) valley in an uncontrolled manner. This creates artificial dams on steep slopes, which can subsequently cause landslides and collapses. Construction waste can fill the road or block the bed of the Razdan River (Zengi River - Azerbaijan-ed). This can result in environmental disasters and is very dangerous for human life,” the expert said.

On February 7, Veolia Jur company informed about another accident in Arzni 2-Irevan main water pipeline. As a result of the incident, the water supply of a part of Arabkir administrative district of Yerevan was suspended.

The company said that it was not the first accident, and illegal stony soil was poured into the creek, causing the rock to fall. As a result, the main water pipe was damaged.

“These cannot be considered construction waste in the usual sense. It is the soil that comes out of the pits, it is fertile soil that can be used for agricultural purposes - planting trees or mowing grass. It is a pity to simply throw away this land. If the excavated soil is transported to a place where there are no stones, it can create an environmental hazard,” Grigoryan stressed.

There are many illegal places where construction waste is dumped in Armenia, but most of them are located in unsettled areas, experts and the public only find out about them when some kind of disaster happens.

As it can be seen, the Armenians have created a threat of environmental disaster in Iravan as well.