Armenia: Reservoir construction in Turkey causing major water problemMarch 23, 2021 - 15:08 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Reservoir construction in Turkey is causing a problem of water resources on the border with Armenia, according to Levon Azizyan, the Acting Director of Armenia's Hydrometeorological and Monitoring Center. Azizyan revealed that today Akhurian Reservoir – a reservoir on the Akhurian River between Armenia and Turkey – contains 100 million cubic meters less water than it did last year. Built between 1975 and 1980 by Turkey and the Soviet Union, the reservoir began operations in 1980. Its water is used for irrigation in Armenia's Aragatsotn, Armavir and Shirak provinces, as well as Turkey's Kars and Ardahan provinces. "Beginning from 2012, water resources of Araks River have significantly declined – by about 30-40% – due to reservoir construction in Turkey," the official added. Azizyan noted that vulnerability of water resources due to climate change is a serious problem, as average temperatures have been on the rise since 1994, with the snow accumulation process becoming more and more rare. "Our estimates show that we are going to have vulnerabilities in water resources – a decrease by some 15% in 2040, 20-25% by 2070 and 35-40% by 2100," the official said, adding that "every drop of water should be used sparingly." Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |