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Tajikistan: Heavy Rains - May 1993

Status
Past
Countries
Tajikistan
Disaster types
Severe Local Storm

The central Asian nation of Tajikistan has suffered major damage from torrential rains. The heavily swollen river Varzob has destroyed the pipe and canal which delivers 75 percent of the capital Dushanbe’s treated water. It also destroyed the major Dushanbe - Pendjikent and Leninabad road and washed away at least 19 bridges. A similar flood caused by the river Vakhsh disintegrated the Rogan dam which was under construction for the last 5 years. A number of pieces of heavy equipment were also lost. Further downstream at Moscovski 30,000 ha of cotton and wheat were flooded and a small dam was destroyed. Near Shaar Tuz and Kambodian the Vakhsh river and its tributary Kofiz Nihon flooded an additional 60,000 ha. The government reports in addition 8,200 houses destroyed and extensive further infrastructural damage to schools, hospitals, electricity transmission lines, a hydroelectric plant, irrigation networks and industrial sites. There is also a considerable loss of cattle. A serious health problem is likely to develop due to waterborne diseases. The initial estimated damage caused by the flooding is over USD 120m. (UN DHA, 12 May 1993)

The DHA mission yesterday visited one of the most affected areas in southern Tajikistan. More villages critically damaged by new floods on 15/16 May 1993. Shelter specialist USAID and delegation Russian Emercom also participated. It appears more than 50,000 people are homeless, 10,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged, mostly in rural areas, 90 schools and health centres destroyed/damaged, 1,120 km of road lost, 180 bridges destroyed/damaged, 250 km of reinforced riverbanks washed away, 190 km of water and irrigation channels, 170 km of power lines destroyed/damaged and 15,000 heads of cattle lost. As govt not in a position to anticipate length of stay of affected people in tents, it is very much possible that they will have to spend the winter in precarious conditions. (UN DHA, 19 May 1993)

The total flood related damage is now estimated at USD 160 million. The increase stems primarily from damage caused by more recent flooding (17 may). This additional damage includes the flooding of 24,000 ha of agricultural land. Latest official data is that the floods have left approx. 38,000 people homeless, with an additional 15,000 already evacuated from their homes because they were at risk from land/mudslides, a total of over 53,000 persons are directly affected. Although relief goods are coming in. The needs are not yet met, mainly because the magnitude of the disaster and the logistical difficulties (eg. Lack of fuel) encountered by relief operations. Meanwhile the authorities are studying the requirements for longer term rehabilitation. (UN DHA, 25 May 1993)

Additional heavy rains, mudflows and landslides in the republic during the period of 18 May - 4 June. As a result, 183 houses were destroyed and 439 houses damaged, 29km of highways, 2 bridges, 115km of irrigation network channels, 21 production units and 4718 hectares of crops were damaged. According to preliminary estimates, direct losses caused by the natural disaster during this period amount to above 3 million USD, bringing total damage to 163 million USD. Altogether during April - May 1993, as a result of natural disasters, 1764 houses were destroyed and 8274 houses were critically damaged (total affected 60,000 people). (UN DHA, 8 Jun 1993)