Analysts debate the causes of the devastating flood in Dagestan.

Dagestani analysts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" cited ill-considered development, natural factors, and the deplorable state of hydraulic structures as among the causes of the devastating flood. They also unanimously deemed the volunteers' significant contribution to the flood relief efforts.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," the Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences linked the regular flooding in Dagestan to a combination of natural processes and anthropogenic impacts, which exacerbate the scale of natural disasters and increase the risks to people. In particular, development on river floodplains, deforestation, and disregard for water protection zones "literally multiply the consequences" of the flood, which under other conditions could have been relatively calm, noted Dr. of Geographical Sciences Alexey Gunya.

Dagestan Public Monitoring Commission head Shamil Khadulaev, the head of the Patient and Housing and Utilities Monitor project Ziyavudin Uvaisov, and a Dagestani journalist, who commented anonymously, shared their opinions on the causes of the devastating flooding in Dagestan and the effectiveness of the authorities' actions with a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

Shamil Khadulaev, speaking about the reasons for the flood's particular destructiveness, highlighted illegal development in the areas. "Many places where water should have flowed during the floods have been built up. This happened, for example, in the Separatorny settlement in Makhachkala, where the water had nowhere to go. As a result, the water rose and swept away houses. This happened in other places as well. For now, the judge who approved the construction permit for one of these swept-away houses, which stood in the water's path, has been suspended. But this won't restore the homes and devastated lives of the people," he said.

In turn, Ziyavudin Uvaisov, head of the Patient Monitor and Housing and Utilities project, blamed heavy rainfall for the flooding. "There may have been some issues with illegal construction or negligence in dam maintenance, but the main reason is the rain," he said.

A Dagestani journalist, who spoke on condition of anonymity, believes that the flooding was largely the result of the abandonment of hydraulic structures and the lack of a functioning storm sewer network in populated areas.

"If we take Mamedkala as an example, then there, on the one hand, "On the one hand, there were shortcomings in strengthening the Gedzhukh reservoir, timely warning, and evacuation of the population. On the other hand, [a role was played by] the absence, both in this village and in the area between the reservoir and the village, of infrastructure capable of at least partially absorbing and diverting the masses of water... Dagestan was lucky that the two emergencies—the house collapse in Makhachkala and the dam break in Gedzhukh—occurred not at night, but during the day. Otherwise, there would have been many casualties," he noted.

Experts noted the significant Volunteers' Contribution

Speaking about the effectiveness of aid to the victims, experts noted the role of volunteers who took part in eliminating the consequences of the flood. Ziyavudin Uvaisov noted that the government and volunteers are working together.

"Everyone is working together, actively cooperating. Of course, the government machine can't always act quickly, and volunteers can't always keep up, but they are trying to solve problems," he said.

A Dagestani journalist also believes that both the government and volunteers did an excellent job. "They helped each other, didn't hinder each other, organized themselves, and are working quite effectively," he said.

The people themselves are doing a lot of work.

Shamil Khadulaev, noting the prompt work of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, also highlighted the work of volunteers. "The people themselves are doing a lot of work; you could say it's people's diplomacy. They're sending us aid from various regions, and not from who knows where, but by contacting famous people in Dagestan (including me), they've sent it to those they trust. For example, recently, entrepreneurs from Vladikavkaz "They sent clothing for the victims. It's fair to say that government mechanisms are working, but they're slow to get going, while people themselves are acting more quickly," he said.

Floods caused by heavy rains began in the North Caucasus Federal District in late March and have become some of the most devastating in recent years. Dagestan and Chechnya suffered the most, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Spring Flooding in the North Caucasus - 2026."

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