More than 120 houses in eastern Azerbaijan's Zykh district are threatened by a landslide, an expert told local media here Monday.


Elbrus Alizadeh, deputy director of the Institute of Geography of Azerbaijan, said recent downpours have increased the risk of landslides in Zykh.


Zykh is a town located 15 km southeast of Azerbaijan's capital and largest city Baku and is considered the most dangerous landslide zone in Azerbaijan.


Landslide movement has already caused cracks in several buildings here, the expert said, adding that at least 120 houses in Zykh were identified as vulnerable and would be affected if the landslide takes place.


He emphasized that landslide activity is also observed in other regions of the country, such as Gobustan, Ismayilli, Lankaran and Shabran.


Earlier in June, a landslide damaged Azerbaijan's Baku-Shamakhy highway.


Landslide zones in Azerbaijan are usually activated in autumn, when heavy rains cause a rise in water levels in some rivers.


Most landslides in Azerbaijan occur on roads. Landslide threats are also associated with human activities and technological factors.


The number of areas that are prone to landslides in Azerbaijan has increased four times in the past 24 years. Enditem

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