"Since the first alarm signals in connection with the shallowing of the Kura River, no serious measures have been taken"

In recent days, an alarm has been heard about the drop in the water level in the Kura River below the minimum threshold. On March 4, it was reported that the situation had reached a critical threshold, as the water level in the Kura River dropped 60-70 centimeters below the minimum. Since March 11, an increase in the water level has been observed on the Kura River section, which runs through the territory of the Salyan district. In two days, the water level in the river rose by a little more than 20 centimeters. Nevertheless, the situation remains critical in the settlements of the district.

Water shortage is already felt in the Central Aran districts, Fuzuli, Beylagan, Imishli, Bilasuvar, Saatli, Sabirabad, although now it is time to irrigate grain crops. On March 13, residents of the villages of Nabatkend and Orta Muganli of the Saatli district tried to protest by blocking the highway due to problems with water shortage. They reported that they could not irrigate their plantations due to lack of water. The action ended with the intervention of the police. According to residents, in a clash with the police, some protesters were injured, and several people were detained.

Monitoring in recent years shows that the water level in internal and transit rivers has decreased. But in the last 10 years, the drop in the water level is becoming more apparent. In July 2020, the same problem arose in the surrounding areas of Kura River.

Why is the Kura River getting shallow? What problems can Kura River’s shallowing cause?

The eco-activist, Javid kara, the head of the Ecofront organization, answered questions from ASTNA on the  topic.

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Question: In recent days, alarms have been received from the surrounding areas of Kura in connection with shallowing. Why is the Kura River getting shallow?

Answer: The main reason for the shallowing of the Kura and the Arctic is a sharp increase in water consumption in Azerbaijan.

Other reasons include a partial increase in consumption in neighboring countries, a decrease in precipitation and a change in distribution in the off-season. Since the amount of snowfall decreases significantly in winter, the water in the rivers does not increase until the spring rains, and the summer months are drier.

The main reason for the sharp increase in water consumption in Azerbaijan is the creation of giant agricultural parks and the use of winter pastures for crops that need irrigation.

Question: After the liberation of the areas occupied by Armenia, there was an opinion that water supplies in these territories would prevent water shortages in Azerbaijan. This also meant that the load on the Kura River would decrease. Why is this not happening? Couldn't the natural water resources in these areas have been a means of preventing Kura River’s shallowing?

Answer: The liberation of the occupied areas could affect the water shortage in several directions. If we took full control of the Sargsian reservoir, we could use the Terterchay, the main river of the region, more effectively. And other large rivers already flowed into the Arks.

Sowing operations were also carried out in the occupied territories. After the liberation  of the  terrritories accelerates, more sowing will be carried out. And this will worsen the shortage of water.

Question: In 2010-2013, we repeatedly witnessed the spill of Kura River in areas where it is now shallow. However, shortly after that, in 2019, we also saw a serious threat of shallowing. At that time, the shallowing of the river was associated with the station built on it. Are these shallows related to the work carried out repeatedly after 2013 to prevent mudflow activity?

Answer: Even if some flood prevention measures were subsequently taken, they cannot have an impact on the shallowing of the Kura River. Structures that are commonly used to prevent flooding are regulated.

Question: Have any steps been taken after 2019, after the first alarms about the shallowing of Kura River, to prevent this? If they have been taken, then why do we still have to face this problem?

Answer: To tell the truth, no serious measures have been taken since the first alarm signals about the shallowing of the Kura River. Since then, consumption has only increased.

Answer: The shallowing of the Kura and the Arctic, the unfair unequal distribution of water resources will lead to the destruction of farmers, increased protests on the ground and migration from these regions to the capital and, eventually, outside the country. To prevent this, first of all, return the irrigated winter pastures and use them for their intended purpose. Secondly, industries that do not generate income and consume a lot of water should be abandoned. For example, cotton growing, irrigated grain crops and similar industries should be abandoned.

• - The acreage in Azerbaijan has approximately doubled over the past 20 years. If in 2000 a little more than 1 million hectares of land were sown in Azerbaijan, today the area of cultivated land is about 2 million hectares. This also means an increase in water demand. All this also happens at the expense of the Kura River, as a result of which the water level in the river decreases sharply – the author.

Thirdly, ground channels should be replaced with concrete channels and pipes. Most of our major canals are unpaved. The supply of water through ground channels leads to its losses, as well as to salinization of the soil. Fourth, irrigation water and drinking water must be paid. But with the setting of the limit. Up to a certain limit - very cheap or free. But the use of over the limit should be sold at a high price.

The government should convince the population that the increase in water prices is not aimed at collecting more money, but at promoting water conservation. All types of water use, including industrial use, must be paid. Otherwise, no one will save water.