Authorities see no danger to tourists from mudflow on Elbrus

A mudflow has occurred on the southern slope of Elbrus, but tourist infrastructure facilities are out of danger, the Kabardino-Balkarian Ministry of Emergency Situations has assured.

As "Kavkazsky Uzel" reported, on July 31 a powerful mudflow occurred in Tyrnyauz, residents of several microdistricts were left without water, electricity and gas. The authorities announced the evacuation of residents of several microdistricts. By August 2, due to the risk of a repeat mudflow, about 1,000 people had been evacuated. By this date, about 3,000 city residents were left without water supply. On August 4, the Ministry of Emergency Situations warned of the threat of new mudflows.

At 15:30 Moscow time, a message was received that a mudflow had occurred on the southern slope of Elbrus at an altitude of about 3,200 meters. There was no damage to the infrastructure of the tourist cluster due to the flow, the Kabardino-Balkarian Emergencies Ministry reported today in its Telegram channel.

The department urged tourists to be careful when on tourist routes. The same message was reposted by the administrations of the Elbrus district and Tyrnyauz.

There are 45 kilometers between Tyrnyauz, where a powerful mudflow recently occurred, and the Azau glade, according to data on the Yandex.Maps service.

The lake is located on the southern slope of Elbrus at an altitude of 3,270 meters. Formed by the melting of the Maly Azau glacier, the water in it contains suspended clay, so it is often cloudy. Tourists can get to the lake by climbing 900 meters from the Azau cable car station or from the Krugozor station, according to the Elbrus resort website.

The resort's Telegram channel does not mention the danger to tourists due to the mudflow.

At the same time, a number of Telegram channels are distributing warnings. "A powerful stream of water rushed down the mountain slope. Tourists are advised to return immediately," the "ChS Yug" Telegram channel said.

"Kavkazsky Uzel" also wrote that on August 3, residents of Tyrnyauz said that the water supply to their homes, which was disrupted after the mudflow, was not restored, contrary to the authorities' statements. The authorities managed to solve the technical problems of the mudflow channel in Tyrnauz, and timely notification of the Ministry of Emergency Situations helped to avoid human casualties, however, new technologies for preventing natural disasters are not being introduced in Kabardino-Balkaria, indicated specialists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

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