Baku: There have been cases of cleared areas being recontaminated with mines during floods, Chairman of the Board of the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov told journalists during the Fourth Climate Week (CW4) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Vugar Suleymanov reported that there have been instances where areas previously cleared of mines were recontaminated due to floods and mudflows. Highlighting the challenges faced by the agency, he explained that their operations are hindered on rainy days for safety reasons, and the recent increase in rainfall has significantly impacted their activities.

Suleymanov pointed out that river waters during floods transport mines to lower-lying areas, posing a substantial risk. This situation has prompted ANAMA to be more vigilant, with additional inspections being conducted in affected areas following such natural events.

He further stated that since November 2020, over 300,000 hectares of land in Azerbaijan have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance. Through these clearance efforts, nearly 262,000 mines and unexploded ordnance have been identified and neutralized, underscoring the agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring safety in the region.