One of the causes trigging flooding of three villages (Armyansky
and Sheptalsky villages and Novoukrainsky town) in the Krymsk
District was uncontrolled activities of the Private Hunters’
Club violating safety standards. Such a conclusion was made
by experts from the North Caucasus Environmental Watch who
together with YABLOKO activists continue their investigation
into flooding of the villages on July 6-7.
As the experts found out, in 2009 the Private Hunters’ Club
rented the land in the area and made a large pond in place
of Razumniye Lake. The pond was equipped with any safety facilities
in case of breaking of the dam. On July 6 after heavy rains
the dam was broken and water from the pond flooded Armyansky
village. In addition the workers of the Club fenced the forest
with a chain wire and staffed it with branches and leaves
making additional water reservoirs. The water from these reservoirs
added to the flood from the dam.
The residents of the villages were aware of the danger and
applied to different state bodies demanding dismantling of
the fences and bring the pond into a state that meets the
safety requirements, but received no replies. During the fist
visit of environmentalists and Sergei Mitrokhin to Armyansky
village on July 9, local residents told them that one of the
causes of flooding of villages had been the activity of the
Club.
On July 14 the activists from the Environmental Watch again
visited Armyansky village. Their examination of the site confirmed
the information from local residents on the causes of the
flood. The water flow from the pond and the rented area was
so strong that it even exceeded the flow from the Shids River
(despite of the fact that the catchment basin of the latter
was considerably larger). This flow had the greatest impact
on flooding of one of the streets of the village – Zarechnaya
street.
However, even a greater flow came to the village from the
Psyzh River valley. Local residents told that there was one
more pond in the upper stream of the river. The pond was also
in disposal of the Private Hunters’ Club. The dam of the pond
burst under the pressure of the water and the flow ran to
the Psyzh River valley. Local residents also provided photographs
confirming their words.
"There is no doubt that economic activity of the Private
Hunters’ Club played a negative role in the flooding of Armyansky,
Sheptalsky and Novoukrainsky villages,” noted EcoWatch experts.
These villages located in the valley of the Psyzh River are
outside the influence of the flood from the Adagum River affecting
Krymsk abd Nizhnebakanskaya and Neverdjayevskaya villages.
However, these three villages were also serely affected. In
addition to destruction and damaging of housing the flood
led to human victims there.
On July 16 YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin demanded from
Yury Chaika, Public Prosecutor General, to bring to justice
the officials whose negligence and lack of action led to flooding
of three settlements in the Krymsk district.
Photographs by Andrei Rudomakha
A ruined house in Teplichnaya street, Armyansky
village
A ruined house in Mironova street, Armyansky
village
A pond made in place of Razumnoye Lake
A broken dam
The fence making a barrier for the water flow
and making an additional water reservoir
Broken dam in the second pond made by the
Hunters' Club
More photographs of July
14
Phtographs confirming
bursting of the dambs at the ponds
See also:
Mitrokhin
demands from Public Prosecutor General to bring to justice
the officials responsible for flooding of three villages of
the Krymsk district. Press Relese, July 16, 2011
Yugeny
Vitishko: “We are working 24 hours a day. We have made bunks
and sleep in turn”. Yugeny
Vitishko about the Aid Centre in Krymsk. Special for the YABLOKO
web-site. July 10, 2012
YABLOKO’s Aid
Centre for the victims of the flood in the southern Russia
keeps working in Krymsk. Press Release, July 10, 2012.
Flood victims left
without help in Krymsk held a spontaneous rally. Press Relese,
July 9, 2011
YABLOKO leader arrived
in Krymsk with a truck of humanitarian aid. Press Release,
July 9, 2012.
Criminal negligence
of officials led to deaths of people in the Krimskiy district,
the Krasnodar Area
Statement by YABLOKO Chairman. July 7, 2012.
Human
Rights
Environmental
Safety
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