Around 160,000 citizens participated in the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ—Vardavar—this year. Starting early in the morning on July 27, the personnel of the services of MIA were operating in reinforced mode across the entire territory of the Republic. They ensured public order on roads, in recreational areas, at Lake Sevan, and along its beaches so that the holiday would pass peacefully and safely, without incidents or emergencies. Since nearly one-third of the participants celebrated near the shores of Lake Sevan, our film crew traveled to the Gegharkunik Province.

Ahead of the launch of the heightened oversight, Chief of Police and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aram Ghazaryan, along with Director of the Rescue Service and Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Kamo Tsutsulyan, conducted a briefing, emphasizing the importance of showing the utmost respect toward citizens while strictly enforcing the law in cases of violations.

According to Garegin Hakobyan, Deputy Head of the Gegharkunik Regional Rescue Department, while the water rescue squad is fully prepared to ensure public safety in and around Lake Sevan, citizens' discipline is no less important.

According to him, citizens should follow the awareness campaigns conducted by the Rescue Service, adhere to safety rules, avoid crossing designated boundaries, and refrain from swimming under the influence of alcohol.

Led by Chief of Police Aram Ghazaryan, the police leadership also toured Lake Sevan and its surrounding areas to assess the situation on the ground.

According to Davit Galoyan, commander of the Water Patrol Unit of the Patrol Service’s Gegharkunik Province battalion, this is their second year of operation, and its deterrent effect has been quite noticeable.
On Vardavar Day, the Patrol Service issued 499 citations in the Gegharkunik Province, 66 of which were issued by the water patrol unit.

Unfortunately, there were two cases of drowning—one in the Lori Province and the other at the Azat Reservoir—in areas not designated for swimming.

However, in the areas monitored and secured during the Vardavar public festivities, as well as on the roads, no incidents with serious consequences were recorded.