Rospotrebnadzor urged residents of Dagestan to stop drinking tap water.

Power has been partially restored in Dagestan, leaving more than 110,000 people without power. Residents have been advised to drink bottled water amid flooding, and authorities have threatened to retaliate for price gouging. Several bridges have been destroyed, and a landslide threat has arisen in Buynaksk.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," more than 20 private homes in Makhachkala were flooded as a result of rain, and rescuers evacuated 80 adults and three children. The rise in water levels on one street was due to clogged drainage, the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated, following a report from the head of Dagestan on the advance clearing of storm drains. A state of emergency has been declared in Makhachkala. In the city houses were flooded, equipment, furniture, and cars were damaged. Residents say problems with flooding during rains have been unresolved for years.

More than 100,000 people remain without power.

The head of Dagestan reported today that of the more than 500,000 customers left without power due to the disaster, about 110,000 remained disconnected by evening.

The main problem is widespread flooding in Makhachkala and Khasavyurt, where three main substations were flooded. Water is currently being pumped out, and the work is ongoing around the clock.

According to Melikov, there is a threat of landslides in Buynaksk. People are being moved to safer areas. Avalanches have occurred in the Tlyaratinsky and Tsumadinsky districts, and sections of roads are closed.

Heavy rainfall has caused active landslides in the Prirechensk area, the Buynaksk administration reported. "The city administration has organized a temporary accommodation center for residents affected by landslides, specifically residents of Krylova, Makhmuda, Kutuzova, S. Lazo Streets, and adjacent streets. It will be located in the dormitory of the Agricultural College. Residents will be provided with all necessary assistance, including hot meals," the city administration reported.

Train passengers are being evacuated by buses

A span of a railway bridge collapsed on the outskirts of the Dagestani village of Dzhemikent. Travel is limited to one-way traffic, TASS reports.

Two spans of a railway bridge collapsed on the Khasavyurt-Kadiyurt railway line due to heavy rainfall. One of the tracks is open for traffic, and the train schedule remains unchanged—trains are running as scheduled, according to the Dagestan Ministry of Transport.

Partial deformation of the second bridge span on the same section has been recorded. Also, due to flooding at Tarki and Manas stations, traffic on this section has been suspended.

The Ministry of Transport and Road Infrastructure has organized the evacuation of passengers from the Makhachkala and Derbent railway stations, as well as the Manas and Khasavyurt stations, with stops at intermediate stations.

Three large, four medium, and 15 small buses, with a total capacity of 690 passengers, have been deployed for this purpose.

At midnight, passengers are scheduled to be evacuated from Khasavyurt station to Kizilyurt station, with subsequent boarding of the Makhachkala-St. Petersburg train, according to a message on the ministry's Telegram channel.

Authorities have recommended drinking bottled water

A temporary increase in water turbidity has been noted in water sources. This phenomenon is natural and is related to the impact of floodwaters on the quality of the source water, according to the Dagestan office of Rospotrebnadzor, which recommended "for the time being, drinking only boiled or bottled water." Rospotrebnadzor urged boiling water for at least three minutes after it comes to a boil. If possible, use bottled water, especially for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Do not use tap water without boiling it for preparing baby food, feeding infants, preparing food, or making ice. Use boiled or bottled water for washing fruits and vegetables. Do not rinse your mouth or brush your teeth with tap water without first boiling it; do not treat wounds with tap water without boiling it. Makhachkala announced it is accepting requests for water delivery.

Any attempts to profit from increased demand for a socially important product will be considered a violation of current legislation.

Bottled water prices have skyrocketed in the republic.

The government of Dagestan announced price controls amid recommendations to drink bottled water.

"Any attempts to profit from increased demand for a socially important product will be considered a violation of current legislation. Relevant agencies, including antimonopoly authorities and regional administrations, are monitoring the pricing situation. Regular monitoring of the cost of drinking water in retail is conducted, and citizen complaints are also analyzed," said Abdulmuslim Abdulmuslimov, Chairman of the Government of Dagestan.

Flooding in Derbent is hampered by the density of Development

In Derbent, dense development is hindering the prompt cleaning of riverbeds and flooding relief, said Mayor Khanlar Pashabekov.

Due to dense development, equipment cannot quickly access the riverbed for cleaning, but we are looking for ways to solve the problem.

"The Sukhodol Canal overflowed in the Aeroport microdistrict. Due to dense development, equipment cannot quickly access the riverbed for cleaning, but we are looking for ways to solve the problem. "The issue with this area will be taken under personal control to systematically eliminate the risk of future flooding," he wrote on his Telegram channel.

According to him, all emergency and utility services have been operating on high alert since last night.

"Particular attention was paid to the mudflow protection structures on Mamedbekov Street. A powerful stream of water, carrying rocks and branches, entered the reservoirs. Thanks to the prompt work of utility equipment and timely cleanup, serious consequences were prevented," Pashabekov added.

The mayor promised assistance to all victims.

"He instructed that lists of victims be prepared and the issue of financial assistance be considered. If necessary, residents can apply for accommodation at temporary accommodation centers - they are ready to accept anyone who needs it," he wrote.

In his address, the head of Dagestan reported that the heads of Chechnya, North Ossetia, and Karachay-Cherkessia, as well as the presidential special representative Mikhail Shvydkoi, Sergei Stepashin, and the management of the Magnit company, have offered assistance in eliminating the consequences of the flooding.

As a reminder, in September 2025, heavy rains led to flooding of substations and power outages in Makhachkala. Food spoiled in de-energized refrigerators, and cooking difficulties arose in apartments with electric stoves. Makhachkala residents have the right to demand compensation for damage caused by street flooding and prolonged power outages, lawyers indicated.

Authorities Dagestan promised financial assistance to residents of Makhachkala whose property was damaged due to flooding, but did not announce the amount of assistance. Makhachkala residents paid 28-30 thousand rubles for the towing and repair of flooded cars, and the authorities paid only 10 thousand for property damage. Lawyers noted that car owners have the right to go to court to demand compensation from the mayor's office, which failed to ensure safe traffic on the roads.

Unresolved problems in the housing and communal services sector are a factor in the growth of protest activity in Dagestan, said Sergei Bachurin, head of the North Caucasus Federal District Ministry of Internal Affairs, on January 19. Makhachkala residents agreed with his opinion. "Problems with water, electricity, heating and tariffs are not just household inconveniences, but a trigger for "the growth of social tension, which leads to an increase in protest activity," noted, in particular, the author of the Telegram channel "Ask Rasul" Rasul Asad.

During the direct line on November 27, 2025, Sergei Melikov ignored pressing issues and gave only vague answers to the questions raised. Residents of the republic were waiting for Melikov to explain the constant power and water outages, burning landfills, and rising prices for housing and communal services and transportation.