THE STORM ON THE CASPIAN SEA IN 1952: SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES AND MEASURES FOR ELIMINATION (BASED ON THE MATERIALS OF THE STATE ARCHIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN)

The article presents materials about a large-scale storm and flood in the Caspian Sea that occurred on November 10–13, 1952, and the measures taken by the Soviet leadership to eliminate its consequences. The article is based on data from the archival funds of the Central State Archive of the Republic of Dagestan – the resolutions of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR and the Council of Ministers of the Dagestan ASSR, which had a secret stamp. These materials are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time, the research topics presented in the article have not been studied. The storm wind of the east and southeast direction in the Caspian Sea reached 15–28 m/s, the surge height was 1.5–4.2 m. As a result of the catastrophic surge, a strip of land up to 35 km wide from the water’s edge appeared under the water. The natural disaster affected the Astrakhan, Grozny and Stavropol regions, the Dagestan and North Ossetian ASSR of the RSFSR, and the Guryev region of the Kazakh SSR. The analyzed documents present liquidation measures to restore the damaged infrastructure of the flooded areas and conduct rescue operations. The central state administrative bodies and administration of the USSR regulated and monitored the restoration activities in the affected regions caused by this natural disaster. The Soviet leadership promptly helped the victims, preventing the widespread dissemination of information about the natural disaster. Various ministries took part in the liquidation activities, allocating the necessary funds and materials to carry out work to restore the damaged premises, warehouses, institutions, and residential buildings. Operations were organized to rescue people and the fishing fleet in distress during the storm in the Caspian Sea. About 15 million rubles were allocated to eliminate the catastrophic consequences. The banking sector of the USSR aided in the form of loans in the amount of about 11 million rubles for construction with a delay in repayment of 2–3 years. The affected regions were provided with industrial materials, goods and equipment for restoration work. Along with the provision of direct assistance, part of the goods was provided based on the return of their value. The storm inflicted the most devastating consequences on the coastal territories of the Astrakhan region and the Dagestan ASSR of the RSFSR, as well as the Guryev region of the Kazakh SSR.

storm, surge, flood, Caspian Sea, consequences, government measures