Landslide risk intensifies in Russia’s Dagestan as flood situation stabilises

While flood conditions in Russia’s Dagestan region are gradually stabilising, authorities have warned of increasing landslide activity across several areas, according to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations cited by TASS.

Officials said landslide processes have become more active in multiple districts of the republic, raising new risks for local communities.

In the Karabudakhkentsky district, there is a threat of erosion undermining the foundations of residential buildings in the villages of Gurbuki and Karabudakhkent, located near the Gubdenozen River. Residents from the affected areas have been evacuated and are staying with relatives, while emergency services are carrying out riverbank reinforcement and rerouting works.

Earlier, meteorologist Marina Makarova from Russia’s Hydrometeorological Centre warned that worsening weather conditions could trigger large-scale landslides and avalanches in Dagestan. She also noted potential fluctuations in sea levels along the Caspian coast, including the Makhachkala area, which could reach hazardous levels.

According to the expert, landslides and avalanches may block river channels, potentially causing downstream flooding. She added that rain-on-snow floods and further heavy rainfall remain possible in the region.