Since March 31, 2026, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Regional Office of the Euro-Asia Division in the Caucasus has been implementing an emergency humanitarian response for residents of Dagestan affected by severe flooding.

Heavy rainfall on March 28, described as the most intense in a century, caused widespread damage across the region. Within 24 hours, streets in Makhachkala were flooded, vehicles were swept away, and rivers overflowed, inundating nearby communities.

According to initial reports, 760 homes were affected, and more than 3,000 residents were evacuated. The village of Adilyotar was among the hardest hit, with nearly 500 homes flooded and the entire population evacuated. Other areas, including Buynaksk, faced additional risks such as landslides, while infrastructure damage disrupted roads, bridges, and power lines.

Emergency response and coordinatoin

ADRA’s regional office began coordinating relief efforts in the early stages of the emergency. Representatives met with local authorities, including the Ministry of Emergency Situations, to assess needs and identify the most affected communities.

Based on these assessments, priority was given to families who lost access to essential resources.

The initial phase of assistance has focused on Makhachkala, where flooding of key infrastructure left several residential areas without reliable water and electricity.

To address urgent needs, ADRA teams distributed 500 five-liter bottles of drinking water. Food packages containing staple items such as cereals, flour, oil, and sugar were also provided to affected families.

Expanding support to remote areas

Relief efforts are expected to expand to remote mountain communities, including Adilyotar, Kadyrotar, Tutlar, and Novy Tsilitl, where both flooding and mudflows caused significant damage.

Access to these areas remains challenging, while emergency services continue evacuation efforts, water removal, and infrastructure repairs. Power and gas outages persist, and transportation networks remain disrupted.

ADRA continues to coordinate its response based on evolving needs, working alongside local authorities and emergency services to support affected communities.

Church leaders have also called for prayer on behalf of those impacted by the disaster, including families who lost homes and those involved in relief efforts.

The original article was published on the Euro-Asia Division Russian news site.