The government announced today, on June 14, 2024, that they have made a decision to reduce the flow of water from Lake Sevan by 170 million cubic meters. This decision is aimed at addressing the water shortage issue. The reduction in water withdrawal from the Sevan-Hrazdan cascade reservoir system will affect the area where water is used for irrigation, causing a decrease in the water level by around 30.3 thousand hectares. The demand for irrigation water from the reservoir system and the Hrazdan River in the Lake Yerevan basin is also expected to decrease by approximately 516.5 million cubic meters.

In order to meet the demand for water, about 225.7 million cubic meters will be sourced from the Hrazdan River, around 65.1 million cubic meters from the Azat River, and about 22 million cubic meters from the Arpa River. Additionally, a maximum release of about 40.1 million cubic meters of water from the Mkhchyan and Ranchpar-Arevshat reservoirs is planned. These reservoirs are the most powerful hydroelectric complexes in Armenia, with a total capacity of 352.9 million cubic meters.

Taking into account the demand and the aforementioned water sources, the difference in water supply is estimated to be around 163.6 million cubic meters. The decision to reduce the outflow from Lake Sevan by up to 170 million cubic meters, which includes the “Arpa-Sevan” tunnel of JWEDAB, aims to ensure the necessary water level in the lake. This decision is crucial in addressing the water deficit in the region.