Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Landslide zones may become active in Azerbaijan, said Alemdar Piriyev,the senior geologist at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences.

The systematic monitoring conducted by the ministry indicates landslides in some areas are inevitable, he stressed.

“It is contributed by heavy rains that were in the area in recent days,” he said.

“The most active areas are Absheron, Zig, Astara, Muganli, Ismayilli and the road to the village of Khinalig. Thus, after the rains, landslides occur in these areas, albeit small,” said the scientist.

Piriyev noted that landslides are a natural process and it is impossible to prevent them.

The chief geologist added that the Ministry plants conifers to prevent exogenous processes in these areas and to keep the earth in tact.

“But most of the responsibility lies on the population. People, who live in the landslide areas, should not cut down trees, wash away the waste and sewage water anywhere. Following these rules, the landslide activity can be reduced,” noted Piriyev.

Earlier, Piriyev warned about the threat of landslides in the Zig settlement of Baku caused by water sewage wells in this territory.

The number of areas that are prone to landslides in Azerbaijan has increased by four times in the past 24 years, the Geography Institute reported last December.

Scientists believe that people are behind 80 percent of the landslides due to their agricultural activity, which increases the risk of landslides.

The coming rainy days mean that the danger of landslides will increase. Thunderstorms, showers, and winds are expected in Azerbaijan on August 25.

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Nigar Orujova is AzerNews’s staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @o_nigar

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