Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev chaired a meeting on May 7, which focused on the disaster that occurred as a result of rising of the water level in the Kur River, AzerTAj state news agency reported.
Opening the meeting, President Ilham Aliyev said that flood occurred in 40 districts of the Republic, 20,000 homes left under water, more than 300 houses collapsed, 2000 houses got into a dangerous condition, 50,000 hectares of crops and pastures was flooded. Due to the sharp rise in water level in the Kur River, protective measures are strengthened, assistance is provided to the population affected by the disaster.
President Ilham Aliyev stressed that if the Azerbaijani state would not take timely preventive measures, the consequences of the disaster could be more extensive and severe.
The president highly appreciated the role of organizations and people involved in the elimination of the consequences caused by the flood and gave additional instructions in this respect. Moreover, the head of state set task to develop a plan of complex measures for the next two years and purchase new equipment. According to the president, people affected by natural disaster will be paid compensation and all-round assistance will be rendered to them.
Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov, Health Minister Ogtay Shiraliyev, Minister of Transport Ziya Mammadov, Minister of Agriculture Ismet Abbasov, Ecology and Natural Resources Minister Huseyn Bagirov provided detailed information on increase of volume of water in the Kura River and measures taken for elimination of the consequences.
President Ilham Aliyev gave instructions to the heads of the related agencies to solve the problem and accelerate the development of the plan of complex measures.