Torrential rains of the last few days have caused the waters of the Debed River in northern Armenia to overflow its banks. As a result, the Armenian Copper Programme’s "Metalurg" athletic field in the town of Alaverdi has been flooded out and a bulwark protecting fields and gardens of local residents has also been washed away. This scene is an annual occurrence at the start of spring. The Debed River, due to snow melt and spring rains, overflows its banks and floods area homes and fields.