Today in mass-media the information about “natural cycles” is often accompanied by epithets “abnormal”, “earlier not observed”, “catastrophic” etc. This article is about problems directly connected with climatic changes.
In the north of Yakutia there is a village Andryushkino. During the last decade catastrophic floods are observed there. And not only in spring but also in autumn! From high waters suffers not only Andryushkino. In 2008 the decision on complex studying of the reasons for the change in hydrological mode of the Alazei River and for finding-out the reasons for the problem was accepted. On March, 4-th, 2008 in order to solve this sharp social and economic problem the “Alazeja-2008″ complex research expedition was organized.
Participants of the expedition at the coast of the East Siberian Sea. (September, 25-th, 2008)
Scientists and experts of the Siberian branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences participated in the expedition’s work. The expedition was also joined by the experts of the Yakut Management in hydrometeorology and preservation of the environment.
In the second half of June, 2008, the scientific group went to the pool of the river of Alazei. Literally they were shocked by the scale of the disaster. Pastures and haylands adjoining the village were completely filled in by water. The village was situated on three islands communicated with wooden bridges of 50-80 m in length. Earlier such flooding, of course, has occurred, but it was not so significant.
One of the old residents of the village noticed that about 10-20 years ago there were big forest fires which, probably, have affected a water mode of the river. Many elders also complained about sharp changes of weather, climate, and the increase in diseases among the population. The opinions were sometimes rather original. The oldest inhabitant of the Argahtah village has told that in the winter on Baliksit-KjueljaÂ lake hunters saw yellow snow after which all fish has disappeared. Another elder has told that in 1993-94 in Marry and Argahtah villages was observed a boom of acute appendicitis (about 60 cases) -Â sometimes sanitary flights were carried out twice a day.
In 30 km from Andryushkino village there is the nature sanctuary of “Taas Kisiljah” located on the right coast of the Alazei. There are columns from 10 to 30 meters in height . Compositions of these columns are unusual – some of boulders remind figures of ancient giants, others are similar to strange animals and walls of some ancient destroyed castles.