Over the past week, heavy rains in the capital have created serious problems for urban infrastructure, turning a number of streets into veritable “rivers.” Flooded roads not only impeded traffic but also created dangerous situations for both drivers and pedestrians.
In the most problematic areas, the water level in some cases reached the sidewalks, forcing residents to detour or walk through the water. Drivers also experienced vehicle breakdowns, reduced visibility, and traffic jams. Videos of cars literally “floating” along the streets are widely shared on social media.
Residents complain that similar situations recur after almost every heavy rain, pointing to the poor condition of the drainage systems.
Karine Karapetyan, Head of Public Relations at Veolia Water CJSC, informed us that stormwater treatment work is ongoing. “These storm sewers were built for Yerevan, and new ones weren’t added. Now their capacity is insufficient to handle all the rainfall,” Karapetyan added.
According to her, Veolia Water is only obligated to maintain, operate, and clean the sewers in accordance with the lease agreement, and it is fully fulfilling these obligations.
Meanwhile, residents of the capital continue to adapt to the weather conditions, hoping that the relevant authorities will take effective measures to prevent similar situations in the future.