A Comparison of Estimated and Actual Indicators of Flood Damage on the Yana River in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia)

In 2022, Verkhoyansky District of Yakutia experienced the largest flood of the regional scale, affecting 1,220 people and with the cost of emergency recovery work amounting to RUB 160.2 million. For the Arctic regions, the consequences of natural disasters are felt several times more acutely, due to the natural and geographical peculiarities and the duration of the process of restoration of the disturbed ecosystem. Protection of the population and territories of the Arctic is one of the priority tasks of the state policy of Russia. The article assesses the flood hazard on the Yana River. Based on the analysis of historical elevations at hydrological posts, hydrological characteristics of the water body, determination of maximum levels, water discharge of the river, and basic hydrological calculations, the area of flooded territory of settlements in Verkhoyansky District of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia) under the percentage availability is determined, and a map of flood zones is drawn up. Using the cadastral value of lands falling into the flood zone, the index of forecast economic damage is determined in order to preliminarily determine the scale of flooding; to carry out preventive measures for preparation, protection of the population, socially important objects, buildings and structures; to plan the amount of financial resources required for rescue operations and for liquidation of the consequences of emergency situations. A comparison and an analysis of actual and estimated damage indicators are given. A strong disproportion in the actual and calculated indicators of economic damage is proved.