Climate change affecting Azerbaijan's water resources – expert

Climate change is profoundly affecting Azerbaijan's water resources, intensifying threats to agriculture, energy, and national security,  Gunay Abbasova, head of the Ecology Department at the Scientific‑Research Institute of Melioration, said during a conference at Baku Water Week, Report informs.

According to her, over the past 22 years, the average annual temperature in the country has increased, especially in mountainous areas, which increases the need for water in agriculture and accelerates evaporation.

"At the same time, extreme weather events have become more frequent. The number of heavy rains has increased sixfold, hail - 2-3 times, and heat waves are recorded 6-13 times more often. Such changes require new approaches to water management - taking into account risks, the use of modern technologies and regional cooperation," Abbasova emphasized.

She added that the South Caucasus is one of the regions that are most vulnerable to climate change, and transboundary cooperation in the field of water security is becoming especially important.