Facebook* commenters called the flooding in Dagestan a marker of infrastructure problems.
Social media users expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the Dagestan authorities' preventative measures and drew attention to the ineffective use of the republic's budget.
As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," six people died in Dagestan as a result of the flooding. Five of them died in and around the village of Mamedkala in the Derbent District: a pregnant 17-year-old local resident, a 12-year-old child, a five-year-old girl and her grandmother, as well as 70-year-old Aminat Musayeva, who had been missing for three days. Earlier, on April 5, in the village of Kirki in the Kaytag District, Kistaman Mazanova, a local village council member and a resident of a house destroyed by a landslide, died.
Flooding caused by heavy rains has been ongoing in the North Caucasus since the end of March, and it has become one of the most destructive in recent years. More than 6,200 people have been affected by flooding in Dagestan, the head of the republic, Sergey Melikov, reported on April 7.
The consequences of the devastating flood in Dagestan have sparked a lively response from Caucasian Knot readers. Discussions on eight Facebook posts* published between April 5 and 7 had garnered 988 comments as of 4 p.m. Moscow time on April 8. Many of them focus on the infrastructural causes of the incident. The comments criticize the state of flood protection systems. "The dam that collapsed from the water pressure was long overdue for repairs," wrote user Rita Domina. "This happens when budget money is spent on something other than the lives of its citizens," said Ya Da.
Discussion participants expressed doubts about the effectiveness of preventative measures and drew attention to the allocation of budget resources. "It wasn't the water that receded, but the billions allocated to them for flood control measures," wrote Sergey Subbotin. "Don't expect help, all the money is gone," said Lyubov Fateeva.
Some Facebook* users shifted the conversation to the realm of social responsibility. They emphasized the importance of assistance and mutual support. "It's better to help with a kind word or deed," wrote Yuliana Shevtsova.
Dagestan and Chechnya suffered the most from the disaster, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Spring Flooding in the North Caucasus - 2026".
Users identifying as residents of Ukraine actively participated in the discussions under posts about the flooding in Dagestan. They assess the events through the prism of moral judgment in connection with the military actions. However, other users spoke out against the schadenfreude in the discussion.
"People, what has happened to you? You're rejoicing over the deaths of people," fumed a reader with the nickname Shorena Barkaia. "Dear caring people, my sympathy for Dagestan! "Let's not react to provocations; it's better to help with kind words, deeds, or material assistance," wrote Yuliana Shevtsova.
Some users attempted to understand the incident through a religious lens, speaking of punishment and retribution. Others, however, called for a more restrained and humane approach to the tragedy.
"Let them atone for their sins, and maybe the disaster will stop," said Nadezhda Nadezhda. "What does punishment have to do with it? This can happen anywhere and to anyone," countered Zulfera Kurpedinova.
As a reminder, today the authorities reported on clearing the Tarnairka River in Makhachkala and dismantling illegal structures blocking the flow of floodwaters. "Unauthorized construction within the riverbed is being demolished, and other potential obstructions to water flow are being monitored," the statement added. The work was carried out between 1st Vlazhnaya and 1st Istochnaya Streets.
The Caucasian Knot has compiled materials on flooding in the North Caucasus Federal District republics in the spring of 2026 on the topic page "Flooding in the North Caucasus".