News - Severe Hailstorm Hits Stepanavan: Extensive Damage Reported

On June 6, the city of Stepanavan in Armenia's Lori Province was battered by an intense hailstorm, causing significant damage to infrastructure and agriculture. The storm affected over 1200 individual properties, including residential roofs, vehicles, and greenhouses, leading to widespread concern throughout the community. Local officials, including Arsen Avagyan from the Stepanavan municipality, have formed an emergency response team to assess and record the extent of the damage. Initial reports suggest potential damages could reach up to 1 billion Armenian Dram. The aftermath of the storm revealed shattered windows, dented vehicles, damaged solar panels, and greenhouse structures rendered unusable. Additionally, agricultural fields faced extensive destruction, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers. Despite the material destruction, there were no reports of severe injuries among the residents. However, the storm resulted in the loss of 41 sheep, highlighting the severe impact on local agriculture and livestock. In response to the disaster, discussions are underway regarding potential compensations for the affected families and businesses. The government and emergency services are working closely to provide necessary relief and prevent future occurrences through technological intervention, including anti-hail systems. Incidentally, nearby operational anti-hail systems managed to mitigate further damage, illustrating the need for expanded coverage in vulnerable zones. Community resilience is being tested as efforts to restore normalcy commence. Volunteers and local authorities continue to expedite the recovery process and ensure that Stepanavan emerges stronger in the face of nature's challenges.