FLOOD PROCESSES IN LOWLAND AREAS OF AZERBAIJAN AND MEASURES OF PROTECTION
1
Aliyeva S.G.
Institute of Geography of Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences
Key words: flood, destruction, adverse effects, factors, prevention
Introduction
Climate change at global scale is reflected in the increased air temperature, as well as the
decrease and change of precipitation regime. The growth of the intensity of destructive natural events
in many parts of the world is observed as well. The intensity of the occurrence of floods can be noted in
particular. The scale of coverage of destructive floods as well as their negative impact is increasing. This
natural phenomenon may take place at different levels in the low plains of the territory of Azerbaijan,
and mostly in lower flow of Kura River, close to the Caspian coasts like Neftchala, Salyan, Sabirabad,
Saatli and other regions. The main plain in Azerbaijan is Kura-Aras that occupies about one fourth part of
the country’s territory.
The Kura-Aras plain covers mainly the territory of the Aran economic-geographical region and
has favorable economic-geographical position and situated in the central part of the Republic of
Azerbaijan. The Aran region is 21.15 thousand km
2
Driven by the natural and geographical conditions, including climate and relief properties of the
Kura-Aras lowland and also the
improper land use led here, floods typically happen in the spring season.
Though a collector-drainage network has been established in the region, irrigation is not properly
conducted, while excessive water supply toward the fields and also the drainage of collectors and the
decrease in water had adverse environmental effects in the region (Babakhanov & Pashayev, 2004).
Therefore, study of relevant conditions and opportunities for prevention of losses, and carrying
economic and geographical researches are needed in order to develop scientifically substantiated
measures and at least mitigate the effect of destructive floods in the future.
, accounting for 24.42% of the country’s territory,
while the population number makes up 1,910.4 thousand people (2014) or 20.16% of the country’s
population.
The warmness and moderateness of winter, as well as long history of the region’s irrigation
agriculture and pasture livestock are notable factors favoring the formation of and size of rural
settlements in the area. Since the area is crossed by Kura and Aras rivers, there is a suitable condition
for the development of irrigation agriculture (Musayeva, 2014). Eventually, there are big opportunities
for the development of labor-consuming areas such as cotton growing, melon farming and vegetable
growing. This factor favors the formation of large system of rural settlements in the study area.
Part of
the rural settlements in foothills and plains of the Kura-Aras lowland has been formed in the mid-20th
century, and was related to the liquidation of ancient settlements in the mountainous areas of the
Greater and Lesser Caucasus, as well as the movement of the population towards the plains. In the Kura-
Aras lowland, the collector-drainage network has been established along with large irrigation systems.
However, irrigation has not been properly managed over many years, and the excessive and irregular
water supply has led to the increase in groundwater levels (Aliyeva, 2014).
Relatedly, the all above-mentioned factors contribute to the intensification of anthropogenic
impact on the nature, as well as favor the occurrence of floods.
Materials and methods
The study was carried out based on comparative analysis, as well as the materials of direct
observation. The past studies dealing with combating these events and reduction of related damages in
Azerbaijan, including scientific justifications and thoughts, reflected in these works were considered as
well. Importance of social security is grounded in order to prevent the consequences of the disaster
through indicating the ways of protection of the population and economic entities from destructive
natural events in the lowland areas of the country. The control measures taken against such events
within the framework of governmental programs on socio-economic development of the regions are
analyzed. The materials of this analysis served as a basis for proposing recommendations on mitigating
the effects of floods in the low plains of Azerbaijan.
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Results
It was defined that because
of the flooding, in 2003-2010, associated total damages in average
made up 250-300 million manats, of which 51% were accounted by agriculture, 33% by residential areas,
12% by facilities of social infrastructure, 3% by transport, and 1% by industrial areas of the region.
Along with the areas of potential flood risk, the areas that can be exposed to floods in the Kura-
Aras lowland, was also determined. The number of population living in those areas was measured as
well. Thus, 35553 people in Sabirabad district, 17442 people in Saatli district, 37807 people in
Imishli
district, 2902 people in Kurdamir district, 36299 people in Salyan district, 24286 people in Neftchala
district, 25052 people in Hajigabul district, 6281 in Yevlakh district, and 27060 people in Shirvan city live
in areas where floods have taken place in the past. 19,780 people in Sabirabad district, 5783 people in
Saatly region, 12613 people in Imishli, 37203 people in Kurdamir, 18217
people in Salyan, 14242 people
in Neftchala, 64,841 people in Yevlakh, 8726 people in Beylagan, 16757 people in Zardab, 44534 people
in Goychay, and 11218 people in Bilasuvar district are residents of areas that can be affected by floods in
the future.
It was found out that the floods occurring in the Kura and Aras rivers in 2010 were responsible for
the damages at over 40 million manats in Sabirabad, Saatli and Imishli districts. In Shirvan city and the
districts of Zardab, Beylagan, Bilasuvar and Neftchala, the corresponding figure made up about 20
million manats. The cities of Sabirabad
and Saatli, as well as the villages of Ulajali and Azadkand have
experienced more damages, while the least affected districts included the Salyan district, Neftchala and
Shirvan cities, as well as Beshdeli and Minbashi villages.
As the carried studies show, the main reasons of the increase in the damage caused by the
destructive natural events are the expansion of the lands acquired, the construction and expansion of
new economic facilities in these territories, the enlarging of residential areas, and the increasing number
of population. As the observations and the review of materials show, in most cases, these destructive
events and processes
are not taken into account, as a result of which, the material damage and the
number of affected people increases.
The carried study shows the urgency of determination of the general regularities in spread and
intensity of occurrence of destructive natural events and processes typical for the plain areas of
Azerbaijan. The study of the possible ways of protection seems topical as well.
In the study area, the water leaked from the ground floor of the existing dams along the banks of
the rivers may elevate to the surface in opposite side. As the observations show, often, the water level
on both sides of the dams is equal. This situation primarily destroys the top layer of soils, washes the
humus layer, and may entail destruction of buildings and installations. Even after the withdrawal of
water, fertility of lands cannot be restored for years, remaining unusable for agriculture.
In order to eliminate the adverse effects of floods in the districts situated in low plains, it is
necessary to strengthen safety of buildings and installations, construct buildings in higher areas, enlarge
coverage of dams, as well as move the land use to special protection zones and safe locations, far from
rivers.
It should be added that another natural event, seriously affecting land use in low plains areas of
Azerbaijan is water level fluctuation in the Caspian Sea. Because of changes in climate, geological and
geomorphological features, hydrological nature of the flowing rivers, changes in water level may occur
that leads to flooding of surrounding areas and elevation of groundwater levels, enlarging
actual
coverage of irrigation.
Discussions
In regard to floods occurring in the Kura-Aras low plains, the measures on protection must be
prepared regarding every settlement that faces threat of natural disaster. To achieve this, it is necessary
to manage efficient territorial regulation of sub-sectors of the secondary industry, properly select
systems of population settlement, and take into account opportunities for protection from natural
disasters.
It is necessary to draw attention on the identification of the causes, areal of occurrence,
origination, intensity and duration of destructive natural events, as well as associated challenges. Beside
with this, the durability of economic facilities and
public buildings, roads, bridges and other transport
and communications systems should be checked regularly in order to be ready regarding risks of floods,
mudflows, landslides, torrential rains and earthquakes. Protective systems should be established, and
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