Heavy precipitation observed in Azerbaijan during the spring months of this year has led to the activation of landslide and erosion processes in several regions. One of the most severe incidents was recorded on the section of road between the villages of Lahij and Namazgah in the Ismayilli district.
In a statement to AZERTAC, Nariman Pashayev, Head of the Geopolitics and Economic Geography Laboratory at the Institute of Geography of the Ministry of Science and Education, Doctor of Geographical Sciences and Associate Professor, noted that the area where the landslide occurred is geomorphologically very complex. According to him, since the road passes along narrow mountain slopes, the risks of slope erosion and rockfalls have always been high there. In particular, the slope gradient in the direction of Lahij is steep, while the degree of rock fragmentation is significant.
Nariman Pashayev emphasized that rainfall caused water to accumulate within the slope materials, reducing their stability and triggering the movement of large masses of soil under the influence of gravity.
According to local residents, small ground cracks and rock detachments were observed in the area before the landslide occurred. This indicates that the process developed gradually over time.
“From a geomorphological perspective, both the Agsu Pass and the Lahij–Namazgah section are considered among the most landslide-prone areas of Azerbaijan. The presence of paleolandslide zones, steep slopes, clay-rich rocks, and intensive atmospheric precipitation maintains a constant risk of landslides in these territories. The events of May this year demonstrated that the increase in extreme precipitation associated with climate change is further intensifying geological hazards on mountain roads. Therefore, the establishment of permanent geological monitoring systems, expansion of slope stabilization measures, modernization of drainage networks, and installation of rockfall protection barriers in these areas are of strategic importance,” the scientist stated.
