Today, the 67th meeting of the Commission on Efficient Use of Water Resources was held under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Commission Shahin Mustafayev.
The Cabinet of Ministers informed Modern.az about this.
A Commission consisting of relevant state bodies was established by the Head of State's Order dated April 15, 2020, to ensure the efficient use of water resources and coordinate activities in this area. Within the framework of the Commission's activities on efficient use of water resources, regular necessary measures are carried out to ensure planned, coordinated, and optimal use of water resources for drinking water supply, irrigation, energy, and other purposes, with strict control over the operating regimes of the country's main reservoirs. In this regard, the main focus is on the cascade-type Shamkir-Yenikend-Mingachevir-Varvara reservoirs on the Kura River, the cascade-type Araz-Khudafarin-Giz Galasi reservoirs on the Araz River, and the cascade-type Tahtakorpu-Jeyranbatan reservoir systems, which are mainly fed by the Samur River.
At today's meeting, in addition to other issues on the agenda, detailed discussions were held on regulating the operating regimes of the country's main reservoirs in accordance with the high-water period.
It should be noted that, according to the forecast data of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, water resources are expected to be higher in the high-water period of the current year compared to previous years.
Regarding the recent increase in water resources in the Kura River, we state that the reservoir system on the Kura River is regulated operatively and optimally by the Commission, within the framework of the multi-year regulation principle, taking into account multi-year wet and dry phases, as well as high-water periods (April, May, and June).
At the meeting, the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency provided extensive information on the increase in water levels in the Kura River and its tributaries Turianchay, Goychay, Girdimanchay, Gargarachay, and other rivers as a result of intensive rainfall in recent days, the current situation in the riverside regions, and preventive measures taken against the consequences.
It was stated that the currently observed increase in water level is related to hydrometeorological conditions, is local in nature, and is accompanied by increased pressure on protective dams in some areas.
It was noted that the local operational departments of the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency in the regions are working in an enhanced mode together with other relevant bodies, the situation is kept under strict control, and appropriate measures are being taken to ensure the unhindered and safe transfer of excess water volumes to the Caspian Sea.
Finally, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Commission Shahin Mustafayev gave relevant instructions to the relevant state bodies regarding the efficient use of water resources, ensuring safe water flow in water and water management facilities during the high-water period, and strict adherence to the operating regimes of the country's main reservoirs.
