Quick Read
- A state of emergency has been declared in Dagestan, Russia, due to severe flooding.
- Over 327,000 residents are without power, and a railway bridge in Khasavyurt has collapsed.
- Torrential rainfall is expected to continue, complicating ongoing relief efforts.
MAKHCHKALA (Azat TV) – Authorities in the southern Russian region of Dagestan declared a state of emergency on Saturday following torrential rainfall that has caused widespread flooding, severe power outages affecting over 327,000 residents, and significant infrastructure damage, including the collapse of a railway bridge.
Dagestan Capital Under Emergency Declaration
Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, was placed under a state of emergency on March 28, 2026, as relentless rain inundated the region. The regional ministry of emergency situations reported that as of noon Moscow time, 283 settlements with a total population of 327,183 people, including nearly 90,000 children, were left without electricity. Sergei Melikov, the head of Dagestan, acknowledged that the severity of the situation surpassed even the most pessimistic projections, despite emergency services being on high alert.
Khasavyurt Railway Bridge Suffers Major Damage
In the region’s second-largest city, Khasavyurt, the impact of the severe weather was starkly evident. Officials confirmed that two spans of a crucial railway bridge connecting Khasavyurt and Kadiyurt on the North Caucasus Railway had collapsed. The extent of the damage to this vital transportation link is still being assessed, but its collapse is expected to disrupt rail traffic in the area.
Continued Rainfall and Response Efforts
The heavy rainfall that triggered the emergency is forecast to persist until Sunday, exacerbating the existing flood conditions. Emergency services have been mobilized and placed on high alert, with efforts underway to address the immediate aftermath and provide assistance to affected residents. The Makhachkala city administration stated on Telegram that resources are being directed towards disaster relief and recovery operations.
The confluence of severe weather, widespread power disruption, and critical infrastructure failure in Dagestan highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme climate events and the immediate challenges faced by authorities in managing such crises.