During Soviet times, a whole system of combating hail was created. There was a center that instructed the stations to what direction, height and quantity cannon volleys should be targeted. It is true, there were deviations, and however, it insured a very low percentage in the qualitative point of view. In the first years of Independence all anti-hail stations were transferred to the battle fields thus putting an end to the fight against hail. Especially in spring months, peasants prayed for the natural disaster not to subject their families to famine. Though, the nature did not always respond to their prayers, regularly reminding them of hail together with other overflows. Nevertheless, consequences of natural disasters caused in those years are still tangible. It refers to agricultural loans, emigration and lost houses.
The situation was so aggravated that the process of launching anti-hail stations was initiated at state level. These stations are differed from the previous ones due to the nature of their work. New stations shoot butane in the air under a huge pressure disrupting the growth of hailstones while the old stations dispersed the clouds by means of cannon volley. New stations can accommodate 50-80 hectares of land but the old ones could serve over 25-30 km radius area.
Co-financing of the state and sponsors allowed launching 99 anti-hail stations in many marzes of the country, as well as in Armavir marz. As a rule, anti-hail stations are handed over to the communities for the future maintenance and operation.
For anti-hail stations’ operation, it is necessary to refill cylinders compressed with butane gas. In the stations 5 ribbons are placed; each one contains 12 cylinders per 20 kg. The complete operation of the station requires 60 cylinders, i.e. 1200 kg of butane. At best, one full charging can serve a year and at worst even two charging will not be sufficient. Due to the geographical location, and taking into account the coverage surface of an anti-hail station, two or more stations are to be launched in one village. Lack of sufficient financial means does not allow many communities to charge the stations. As a rule, high-risk communities have been affected with hail over the years and are completely broke. For example, the budget of Koghbavan and Arevadasht communities of Armavir marz is less than 4 million. Consequently, operation of anti-hail stations would be a great luxury if we take into account that butane gas suppliers “Butane” and “Bavra” LLCs which belong to “Hayrusgasard” are suggesting respectively 580 and 680 AMD per kg of butane. Hence, charging an anti-hail station requires 696-816 thousand AMD. If a community is operating two or more stations it is already a serious problem.
This is the reason why the marz has launched 99 anti-hail stations, and some communities have already been affected with hail. For example, on April 13, hail damaged almost 30 percent of expected apricot crop in Miasnikyan community. Now many villages are in debt with the supply companies and the latter is refusing to charge the stations. Therefore, many anti-hail stations have turned into a decoration for many villages.
Thereby, federal support is of great significance to combat hail successfully.