By Gayane Sargsyan

Heavy rains caused the Tandzout River to overflow its banks and flood a neighborhood of mostly cabins in the Armenian town of Vanadzor on the evening of June 23.

More than twenty cabins were water damaged in the neighborhood nicknamed St. Petersburg, the Russian city known for its canals.

Flooding is a common occurrence after heavy rainfall due to the lack of a levy along the river.

Gohar Ghazaryan, a local resident, told Hetq that a makeshift barrier had been installed some years ago but has since been washed away.

Only one room in the house owned by Hermineh Sargsyan was left dry during the recent flooding.

“We had just renovated. Water flooded the living room, balcony and bathroom. My husband had to move the refrigerator and washing machine to the other side of the house,” said Mrs. Sargsyan.

Emma Asatryan, another neighborhood resident, couldn’t even get to her house after work due to the water.

“They don’t help at all. They argue it’s a natural disaster. All these programs over the years haven’t resolved the issue. Politicians keep making promises to get elected. But nothing ever gets done,” Mrs. Asatryan complained.

Marietta Ghoumaryan told Hetq that her son, serving in Karabakh, had returned for a bit of R&R but was draining out sewer water all the time.

“One day, a flood can wash us away while we’re asleep. Who looks out for us?” asks Mrs. Ghoumaryan. “Neither the mayor nor the president.”