Flooding threatens the tourist season in Dagestan

Flooding damage in Dagestan has reduced tourism interest in the republic, but tour operators continue to sell packages, hoping for infrastructure restoration in the region.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," a state of emergency due to flooding has been declared in Buynaksk, Dagestanskiye Ogni, Kaspiysk, Khasavyurt, and three other districts of the republic: Khasavyurt, Karabudakhkent, and Derbent. According to authorities, by the evening of March 30, water had receded from 544 residential buildings, 698 garden plots, and 120 sections of roads. 235 houses, 550 plots of land, and 10 road sections remained flooded. On March 28, a state of high alert was declared in Dagestan due to flooding, and a state of emergency was declared in Makhachkala. Makhachkala residents complained of problems with electricity and water supplies, transportation accessibility, and a lack of communication with emergency services. Residential buildings, appliances, furniture, and cars were damaged by the flooding. Residents also complained of problems with electricity and water supplies, as well as transportation accessibility. They complained that it was very difficult to reach emergency services.

The tourist season in Dagestan is under threat after the recent flooding; interest in tourism in the region has decreased by 35 percent compared to 2025, according to the Mash Telegram channel.

According to information from a source, travel companies are experiencing difficulties selling tours even to popular destinations such as the Sulak Canyon, the Chirkey and Gunib hydroelectric power plants, and the ancient ghost village of Gamsutl. The main reason for the decline in traveler interest was the large amount of trash washed up on the shores of the Caspian Sea, with over three tons of waste washed into the water.

Private resorts, including in cities like Izberbash and Derbent, were also damaged by the flooding. Tourist facility owners estimate damages in the millions of rubles needed for restoration and repairs after the disaster.

Meanwhile, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia reported that travelers continue to purchase tours to flooded Dagestan. "The situation is improving now; the 'high water' has receded into the sea," the ATOR website quotes the head of PEGAS Touristik in the North Caucasus Federal District.

The tour operator will resume all main excursions on March 31. "Our guides personally traveled all these routes, inspected access roads and the condition of the locations," a company representative assured.

According to her, the tour operator had few cancellations of tours to Dagestan – only six bookings for March 29-30, with accommodations in coastal areas near Makhachkala. No cancellation requests were received for Derbent, which was not affected by the disaster.

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

In the fall of 2025, Dagestan authorities promised financial assistance to Makhachkala residents whose property was damaged by flooding, but did not announce the amount of assistance. Makhachkala residents paid 28,000-30,000 rubles for the towing and repair of flooded cars, while the authorities paid only 10,000 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.

The "Caucasian Knot" has compiled materials about flooding in the North Caucasus Federal District republics in the spring of 2026 on the thematic page "Flooding in the North Caucasus".