AZE.US
Heavy rain that swept across Baku has left behind more than flooded streets. In several parts of the capital of Azerbaijan, residents say water poured into homes, damaged household property and created dangerous living conditions, while business owners and drivers were also hit with significant losses.
For many families, the flooding was not just a matter of inconvenience. Residents described water entering apartments, soaking floors and belongings, and raising fears of electrical hazards. Some said the water level rose high enough to make homes unsafe, while others complained that no local officials arrived despite repeated concerns from the area.
People living in the affected neighborhoods said the damage appeared to be tied not only to the intensity of the rainfall, but also to drainage and sewage infrastructure that failed to handle the volume of water. Where pipes overflowed or proved too weak to carry runoff away, streets and nearby homes were flooded.
Business owners also reported serious losses. In some commercial premises, floodwater reportedly rose to 70 to 100 centimeters, leaving goods, spare parts and stored inventory underwater. One affected owner said property worth 15,000 to 20,000 manats remained trapped in a flooded warehouse.
Dozens of vehicles were also damaged after road surfaces gave way in some areas following the rain. Drivers said sudden sinkholes, road collapses and deep cavities turned damaged streets into traps, with cars suffering problems ranging from wheel and suspension damage to steering and underbody impact.
Under Azerbaijani law, compensation depends on the cause of the damage and whether the property was insured. Legal experts say that if movable or immovable property was covered by mandatory or voluntary insurance, the insurance company should compensate the loss.
If the incident is officially classified as a natural disaster, compensation could also come from state funds. In such cases, residents may submit written appeals to municipalities and local executive authorities.
But lawyers say that not every rain-related loss automatically becomes the state’s responsibility. The key issue is whether the damage could have been prevented if the relevant public authority or utility structure had acted in time. If blocked drainage, neglected infrastructure or an unresolved road hazard played a direct role, then the responsible agency may be required to cover the damage.
For drivers, experts say documentation is crucial. They advise victims to photograph and film the damage, call the road police, obtain an official report, collect witness contacts if possible, and then secure an independent assessment or a repair estimate from a service center. With that evidence, a driver can file a formal claim with the authority responsible for that section of road.
If compensation is refused, the case can be taken to court.
The flooding has turned into a broader accountability issue in Baku. What began as a weather emergency is now raising a harder question for residents, businesses and motorists alike: when rain exposes failures in infrastructure, who is supposed to pay for the consequences?