YEREVAN. – In case of a breakdown at the Armenian nuclear power plant, 25 communities will be in the primary risk zone.
These communities are: Armavir and Metsamor towns, Arshaluys, Aknalich, Aratashen, Aghavnatun, Aragats, Artashar, Arevik, Yeghegnut, Zartonk, Khoronk, Tsaghkalanj, Tsiatsan, Hovtamej, Haytagh, Mayisyan, Mrgashat, Noravan, Geghakert, Taronik and Ferik villages in Armavir Province, and Aragatsotn, Nor Amanos, Nor Yedesia villages in Aragatsotn Region.
The population in these communities shall be provided individual protection means. Speaking with Metsamor and Armavir residents, however, EcoLur NGO of the country found out that this has not been carried out.
Pursuant to the respective governmental decision, people shall be provided stable iodide preparations designed for blocking the thyroid gland, as well as gas masks and muzzles.
“If there is a radiation hazard, people should know what to do,” the locals said. “At least they should be informed about closing doors and windows while rescuers will take them out of their apartments.
“Nobody knows about it in Metsamor… Once training was held with 15-20 people, which doesn’t mean that all population is informed…There are trainings at school, which are not sufficient, while wide ranges of society in the region shall be informed about it.”
And as for the shelters, which are also specified by the said decision, the locals noted there are no normal shelters in their residential areas. And even though basements can serve as shelters, they have been either turned into garbage dumps or have been privatized.
