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← Flood in Dagestan and the Gedzhukh reservoir breach

Timeline: Flood in Dagestan and the Gedzhukh reservoir breach

68 entries, 28 Mar 2026 to 6 Oct 2026. Statements, decisions, inspections, criminal cases and verdicts, money and memorials, each with its source and archive copy.

Quotes on this page are our translations from Russian; each original is in its source's archive copy and on the Russian page. Russian page

2026

  1. 28 Mar 2026, 13:24 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Makhachkala city administration; the Emergencies Ministry's Dagestan directorate: Makhachkala's authorities declared a city emergency. The Emergencies Ministry said Zarechnaya Street flooded because a drainage ditch was clogged with debris.
    “On Zarechnaya Street, rainwater built up and rose because the drainage ditch was clogged with debris.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  2. 28 Mar 2026, 15:54 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov said utilities had prepared for the weather and cleaned the storm drains.
    “But the blow of the elements proved stronger than the most pessimistic forecasts.”
    Российская газета, archive copy
  3. 28 Mar 2026, 16:56 Moscow timeInstruction. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: At the emergency headquarters Melikov backed a proposal to put the whole republic on high alert and asked the regional government for money for municipalities.
    “I ask the government to work out financial support for municipalities to deal with the emergency and its consequences.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  4. 28 Mar 2026, 18:44 Moscow timeStatement. Makhachkala city administration: Makhachkala's administration named the flooding of the Tarnairka and Cherkes-Ozen rivers after heavy rain as the cause.
    “The storm-drain system could not take the critical load, although utilities had prepared and cleaned it in advance, the administration said.”
    Российская газета, archive copy
  5. 28 Mar 2026, 19:55 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov named heavy rain and drainage problems made worse by illegal building as the causes of the flooding.
    “Again the same problem that has been getting worse here for years: illegal building, including in protected zones”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  6. 29 Mar 2026, 10:55 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Khasavyurt district administration: Khasavyurt district declared an emergency from 21:00 on 28 March.
    “The emergency was declared in Khasavyurt district by a resolution of the acting head of the district administration.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  7. 29 Mar 2026, 14:59 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: The Emergencies Ministry reported 3,338 people evacuated, more than 1,000 of them children, and 760 homes flooded.
    “3,338 people have been evacuated, more than 1,000 of them children”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  8. 30 Mar 2026, 16:49 Moscow timeInstruction. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov told damage-assessment commissions to start work. People with no right to budget support, including those without documents for their homes, would be helped by charities.
    “In such cases charitable foundations, which have already begun collecting money, will step in.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  9. 30 Mar 2026, 20:50 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: By Decree No. 52 Melikov classed the emergency as regional and declared it in three districts and five cities from 30 March.
    “The Head of Dagestan Sergei Melikov signed a decree declaring a regional emergency in a number of the republic's municipalities where the consequences of the bad weather are felt most, the head's press service said on Monday.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  10. 31 Mar 2026, 17:03 Moscow timeStatement. Igor Shumakov, head of Roshydromet, the federal weather service: The head of the weather service told the Federation Council that rain floods of this size come to Dagestan once in ten years and that storm warnings were issued 48 to 60 hours ahead.
    “We issued storm warnings for Dagestan, Chechnya and North Ossetia, 48 to 60 hours in advance”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  11. 3 Apr 2026, 12:34 Moscow timeInstruction. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov ordered that affected people and companies be exempted from property taxes until 31 December 2026.
    “Individuals and legal entities affected by the emergency in Dagestan must be exempted from property taxes until 31 December 2026.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  12. 3 Apr 2026, 13:21 Moscow timeReport. First Deputy Prime Minister of Dagestan: The regional government put the money needed to replace lost homes and repair damaged ones at more than 4 billion roubles.
    “To compensate for lost housing and carry out major repairs to damaged homes, more than 4 billion roubles are needed.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  13. 5 Apr 2026, 14:05 Moscow timeReport. Makhachkala city administration (as reported by RIA Novosti): Makhachkala's administration reported that a block of flats on Perova Street was at risk of collapse and that residents were being evacuated.
    “A block of flats in Makhachkala was at risk of collapse because of the rain; residents will be evacuated, the city administration said.”
    РИА Новости, archive copy
  14. 5 Apr 2026, 21:37 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: The Emergencies Ministry reported that the earth embankment of the Gedzhukh reservoir in Derbent district had breached and that homes in Mamedkala were flooded.
    “Heavy rainfall overfilled the reservoir, and as a result the earth embankment breached.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  15. 6 Apr 2026, 00:32 Moscow timeStatement. Head of Dagestan's Regional Management Centre: The head of the regional management centre reported two dead: the current swept cars off the road between Mamedkala and Gedzhukh.
    “Unfortunately, there are two deaths”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  16. 6 Apr 2026, 07:46 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: The Emergencies Ministry evacuated more than 4,000 people from four neighbourhoods in the flood zone.
    “As a precaution, more than 4,000 people were evacuated from four neighbourhoods in the flood zone.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  17. 6 Apr 2026, 10:22 Moscow timeCriminal case. Investigative Committee, Dagestan directorate: Investigators opened two cases of causing death by negligence: over deaths in Derbent district and of a woman in the village of Kirki in Kaitag district.
    “Both cases fall under article 109 of the Criminal Code (causing death by negligence).”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  18. 6 Apr 2026, 13:12 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov asked investigators and prosecutors to find out who had permitted building in dangerous places. Makhachkala's head Dzhambulat Salavov said the damaged six-storey buildings had been built by the riverbed in breach of the law.
    “We need to find out who permitted the building of these houses and who permitted blocks of flats built on plots meant for individual houses to be put into use.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  19. 6 Apr 2026, 14:30 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin took reports from Kurenkov and Melikov by phone and called a meeting for 7 April.
    “The head of state gave the necessary instructions to all the relevant agencies to help people.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  20. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeStatement. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: At the President's meeting Kurenkov reported six dead.
    “Units of the Emergencies Ministry rescued more than 200 people. Unfortunately, six people died.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  21. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeStatement. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: Kurenkov said the cyclone had formed over the Caspian Sea rather than over the Black Sea as usual.
    “Unlike the typical pattern, when cyclones form over the Black Sea and cross the Caucasus range, this cyclone formed over the Caspian Sea, where it took up a large amount of moisture.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  22. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin named abnormal weather as the cause of the Gedzhukh reservoir breach.
    “Because of abnormal weather, on 5 April the earth embankment of the Gedzhukh reservoir in Derbent district breached.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  23. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov named building on illegally allocated plots, which narrowed riverbeds and channels, among the causes of the damage.
    “Blocks of flats and individual houses were built on illegally allocated plots in breach of all planning rules. Such building narrowed riverbeds and drainage channels, which was largely why they could not carry large volumes of rainwater.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  24. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin ordered a government commission on the flood recovery and an individual approach to each family.
    “I ask you to approach each particular family, each particular situation, individually.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  25. 7 Apr 2026, 16:45 Moscow timeStatement. Anton Siluanov, Minister of Finance: Siluanov said financial support would follow once damage was assessed and lists of victims drawn up.
    “Once the damage, the destruction of infrastructure and homes, and the lists of affected citizens are determined, we will promptly provide financial support to overcome the consequences of the emergency.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  26. 7 Apr 2026, 23:25 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia: By Order No. 768-r Mishustin set up a Government commission headed by Kurenkov.
    “Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin set up a Government commission on the consequences of the floods in Dagestan.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  27. 8 Apr 2026, 23:19 Moscow timeReport. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov said charities would start paying people whose homes were not registered, and gave the sums raised.
    “More than 440 million roubles have been raised on the Tooba platform; the target announced is 600 million roubles.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  28. 9 Apr 2026, 18:12 Moscow timeStatement. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: Kurenkov said the republic could not deal with the consequences on its own.
    “Undoubtedly, the scale of the disaster and the region's own capacity do not allow it to deal with the consequences of the emergency on its own”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  29. 9 Apr 2026, 18:53 Moscow timeDecree or resolution. Government commission for emergencies (chaired by Alexander Kurenkov): The Government commission classed the situation in Dagestan and Chechnya as an emergency of federal character.
    “The Government commission for emergencies, chaired by Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov, classed the situation in the flooded republics of Dagestan and Chechnya as an emergency of federal character, Interfax's correspondent reported on Thursday.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  30. 10 Apr 2026, 15:56 Moscow timeStatement. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: Speaking for the President, Kurenkov told people in Dagestan and Chechnya that all due payments would be made.
    “All the payments that are due will all be paid”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  31. 10 Apr 2026, 17:39 Moscow timeInspection. Volga Interregional Environmental Prosecutor's Office: Prosecutors found that the owner and the organisations using the Gedzhukh reservoir had not kept it safe, and sent the material to investigators.
    “It was established that the owner and the organisations using the Gedzhukh reservoir on the Darvagchai river did not ensure the safe operation of the dam, which led to its breach, an uncontrolled release of water and the flooding of the surrounding area, including settlements”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  32. 10 Apr 2026, 18:52 Moscow timeResignation. Judicial Qualification Board of Dagestan: The board ended, at her own request, the powers of judge Patimat Makhatilova. According to the courts' press service, in 2013 she legalised the building on Aivazovsky Street that partly collapsed in April.
    “The powers of judge Patimat Makhatilova of the Sovetsky District Court of Makhachkala have been ended on her written application, on her retirement on 30 April 2026”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  33. 10 Apr 2026, 22:47 Moscow timeCriminal case. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee opened a case over breaches of safety rules in running the dam and detained an engineer of the company that ran it.
    “According to investigators, officials of the organisation running the dams in Derbent district did not keep the structure in proper technical condition and did not remedy the violations found.”
    Вести.ру, archive copy
  34. 12 Apr 2026, 13:02 Moscow timeArrest. Sovetsky District Court of Makhachkala: The court remanded in custody the engineer of DZIV-2 LLC responsible for the reservoir's safe operation.
    “According to the material submitted to the court, the tenant and operator of the dam, despite the unsatisfactory state of the structures recorded in the safety declaration and numerous violations, did not fix the defects for a long time and gave the supervisory body false information about the structure's condition, the court said.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  35. 12 Apr 2026, 17:27 Moscow timeArrest. Investigative Committee of Russia: The Investigative Committee detained the former general director of the company that ran the dam.
    “According to investigators, the suspect did not ensure that safety requirements were met, did not organise proper monitoring of the structure's condition and took no steps to remedy the violations found.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  36. 12 Apr 2026, 18:00 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin approved a list of instructions: the Government and the Emergencies Ministry report on the recovery and on help for victims by 20 April, then monthly.
    “The Government of the Russian Federation, together with the Emergencies Ministry, is to report on the results of dealing with the consequences of the floods in Dagestan in March and April 2026 and on support measures for affected citizens.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  37. 14 Apr 2026, 21:55 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov called the dam breach above all a natural event and said investigators were checking a number of officials.
    “This situation is indeed extraordinary: the volume of rain that put the Gedzhukh dam at risk is above all a natural phenomenon.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  38. 14 Apr 2026, 21:55 Moscow timeMoney. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov listed the payments under the federal rules; families of the dead receive 1,567,500 roubles for each person killed.₽1,567,500 to family members for each person killed
    “In the event of a death: 1,567,500 roubles to family members.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  39. 21 Apr 2026, 16:40 Moscow timeInstruction. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin ordered help also for people whose homes were built without proper registration, and asked for legal solutions to make it possible.
    “They must be helped all the same. I ask you to find these regulatory, legal solutions.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  40. 22 Apr 2026, 12:27 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Melikov, Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Melikov said people without documents for their homes would be supported from off-budget sources.
    “We will support such people through off-budget sources”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  41. 24 Apr 2026, 14:31 Moscow timeReport. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: Kurenkov said one-off aid and compensation for lost essential property had started to be paid.
    “Payments of one-off aid and compensation for lost essential property to the affected population have begun.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  42. 24 Apr 2026, 14:49 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: The Emergencies Ministry said water had left all homes; in Dagestan 9,825 homes were flooded and 7,126 damaged.
    “According to the latest data, 9,825 homes in Dagestan were flooded. 7,126 homes have been recognised as damaged.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  43. 30 Apr 2026, 15:27 Moscow timeStatement. Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia: Mishustin said the republics' spending on help for victims would be reimbursed from the federal budget.
    “And I ask you to keep supporting those affected by the disaster; I stress once more that this money will be reimbursed, as we agreed, from the federal budget.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  44. 30 Apr 2026, 16:25 Moscow timeMoney. Alexander Molchanov, head of territorial policy at the Emergencies Ministry: The Emergencies Ministry said 9,878 people in Dagestan had been paid 423.4 million roubles.₽423,381,075
    “In the Republic of Dagestan, 9,878 people received payments totalling 423,381,075 roubles”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  45. 30 Apr 2026, 17:45 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Meeting representatives of Dagestan, Putin said Melikov was moving to other work.
    “He has done a lot, and we are grateful to him for it, but he is moving to other work.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  46. 6 May 2026, 17:48 Moscow timeAppointment. Fyodor Shchukin, acting Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Fyodor Shchukin, appointed acting Head of Dagestan by presidential decree on 4 May, was introduced to the republic's authorities. He called support for every victim the main current task.
    “He stressed that no affected person should be left without support, calling this the main current task.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  47. 22 May 2026, 10:00 Moscow timeInstruction. Mikhail Mishustin, Prime Minister of Russia: Mishustin ordered work by 15 July on resettling people from Dagestan's landslide zones under the state housing programme.
    “In particular, the construction, finance and economy ministries, together with Dagestan's government, were told to work out by 15 July whether to include in the state programme "Affordable and comfortable housing and utilities for citizens of the Russian Federation" measures to resettle people living in the republic's landslide zones.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  48. 22 May 2026, 13:18 Moscow timeReport. Alexander Kurenkov, Minister of Emergencies: At a session of the Government commission in Makhachkala, Kurenkov put payments in the two republics at 1.14 billion roubles.
    “Payments amount to a total of 1,144,290,680 roubles”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  49. 22 May 2026, 16:48 Moscow timeStatement. Bakhtiyar Ullaev, Minister of Construction of Dagestan: The republic's construction minister gave dates for restoring a damaged building on Perova Street in Makhachkala: money by 11 June, a contract by 15 July, works from September.
    “By 11 June we plan to allocate 250 to 265 million roubles from the republic's budget to restore the building. The contract is to be signed by 15 July. The main construction works will start in September”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  50. 22 May 2026, 18:35 Moscow timeStatement. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Putin said he hoped Dagestan's new leadership would deal with helping the flood victims.
    “I hope the new leadership, too, will do everything to make sure that helping the people affected by the flood is done.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  51. 29 May 2026, 14:47 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: The Emergencies Ministry reported 115 illegal buildings demolished and 17 kilometres of riverbeds cleared in Dagestan.
    “In the Republic of Dagestan, specialists are building up riverbanks. 115 illegal buildings have been demolished. 17 kilometres of riverbeds have been cleared.”
    МЧС России, archive copy
  52. 3 Jun 2026Money. Government of Russia: Orders No. 1351-r and 1352-r allocated almost 3 billion roubles to repair and replace damaged kindergartens, schools and colleges in Dagestan and Chechnya.₽3bn
    “Thanks to federal funding, 29 education buildings in Dagestan will be repaired.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  53. 11 Jun 2026Arrest. A court (as reported by RIA Dagestan): A court moved the DZIV-2 engineer charged over the dam breach from custody to house arrest.
    “The court eased the pre-trial measure for the engineer of DZIV-2 responsible for the safety of the structures at the Gedzhukh dam.”
    РИА «Дагестан», archive copy
  54. 13 Jun 2026, 17:41 Moscow timeInspection. Fyodor Shchukin, acting Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Shchukin inspected the building of houses for victims in Mamedkala.
    “We will build the houses fast, on schedule.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  55. 19 Jun 2026, 18:10 Moscow timeReport. Magomed Ramazanov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan: The head of the regional government said 47,127 applicants had received 1.754 billion roubles.
    “As of 18 June, citizens affected by the emergency have been paid 1 billion 754 million roubles in social support; 47,127 applicants have received payments”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  56. 25 Jun 2026, 15:15 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: Order No. 1609-r directed almost 2.5 billion roubles to repairing dams, clearing riverbeds and temporary embankments in Dagestan and Chechnya.₽2.5bn
    “Almost 2.5 billion roubles will be directed from the cabinet's reserve fund to dealing with the consequences of the floods in Dagestan and Chechnya.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  57. 28 Jun 2026, 11:00 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: Over 385 million roubles went to Dagestan and Chechnya to reimburse their payments to victims.₽385m
    “Over 385 million roubles will be directed from the Government's reserve fund to Dagestan and Chechnya to reimburse spending on support for citizens affected by the flood.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  58. 4 Jul 2026, 17:17 Moscow timeStatement. The contractor building the Mamedkala houses (as reported by RIA Dagestan): At a site meeting in Mamedkala the contractor said the 52 houses would be ready by mid-August.
    “The contractor gave assurances that the houses would be ready by mid-August.”
    РИА «Дагестан», archive copy
  59. 10 Jul 2026, 16:32 Moscow timeReport. Ministry of Emergencies: Commissions finished surveying homes; all applications for help were to be decided by 31 July.
    “All applications for financial help are to be decided by 31 July.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  60. 11 Jul 2026, 11:00 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: Order No. 1791-r gave Dagestan more than 3.8 billion roubles for payments to people whose homes were damaged or lost.₽3.8bn
    “The transfer to the Republic of Dagestan will be more than 3.8 billion roubles.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  61. 31 Jul 2026, 10:00 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: Over 1 billion roubles went to Dagestan and Chechnya for payments to victims.₽1bn
    “Over 1 billion roubles more will be directed from the Government's reserve fund to Dagestan and Chechnya to cover spending on support for citizens affected by the flood.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  62. 19 Aug 2026, 09:00 Moscow timeMoney. Government of Russia: About 0.5 billion roubles went to Dagestan to reimburse payments; in all, the Government says more than 12 billion roubles have been allocated to the two republics.₽0.5bn
    “To date, the total allocated to recovery work and help for affected citizens exceeds 12 billion roubles.”
    Правительство России, archive copy
  63. 21 Aug 2026, 16:20 Moscow timeReport. Magomed Ramazanov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan: Payments in Dagestan and Chechnya passed 4.7 billion roubles. Two quick-build schools were due by 1 September, four more by the end of September and one by the end of October.
    “Quick-build schools are also being built in the region: two are to open by 1 September, four more by the end of September and one by the end of October.”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  64. 29 Aug 2026, 15:13 Moscow timeInspection. Magomed Ramazanov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan: The head of the regional government inspected the 52 finished houses in Mamedkala.
    “The main construction works are complete on all 52 buildings.”
    РИА «Дагестан», archive copy
  65. 29 Aug 2026, 20:35 Moscow timeStatement. Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Education: The education minister said 123 damaged schools would reopen after repair for the school year, and two of seven new schools would open by 1 September.
    “123 schools damaged in the emergency will open for the new school year after major repairs. And seven new schools will be built, two of which will also open by 1 September.”
    Глава Республики Дагестан, пресс-центр, archive copy
  66. 7 Sep 2026, 13:45 Moscow timeReport. Fyodor Shchukin, acting Head of the Republic of Dagestan: Shchukin told the President that about 3 billion roubles of donations were paying for damage to people whose homes were not registered.
    “In total about three billion roubles: that is what was donated from various sources, off-budget funds.”
    Сайт Президента России, archive copy
  67. 18 Sep 2026, 17:31 Moscow timeReport. Magomed Ramazanov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan: The head of the regional government said payments had been granted to 88,800 people, totalling more than 3.4 billion roubles.
    “Payments have been granted to 88,800 citizens totalling more than 3.4 billion roubles”
    Интерфакс, archive copy
  68. 6 Oct 2026, 20:22 Moscow timeReport. Fyodor Shchukin, acting Head of the Republic of Dagestan: In Mamedkala, 52 families received keys to new houses; ten more houses are planned there.
    “In the settlement of Mamedkala in Derbent district, keys to new houses were handed to 52 families affected by the flood.”
    РИА «Дагестан», archive copy

Sources