DUSHANBE, May 17, Asia-Plus – Following recent heavy rainfalls, several districts in Tajikistan are threatened with floods, according to the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CES).
The source at a CES said that a May 16 torrential rain caused an increase in the water level in the canal Sangikar at the Navobod settlement of the Rasht district (eastern Tajikistan).
“This canal provides with drinking water not only the Navobod settlement but also residents of the nearby communities,” said the source, “Water in the canal has become so dirty that is not fit for use now.” There are no other sources of drinking water in the area and local authorities are seeking solution to the problem of providing the population with drinking water, the source said.
According to him, the increase in the water level may cause flooding.
The CES source added that serious situation was also in the Vahdat and Varzob districts, where mudslides caused by a May 16 torrential rain affected some areas. “All local emergency services are closely monitoring the situation,” the source said, noting that no damage or injured was reported.
In the meantime, according to Tajik meteorological service, a storm warning has been announced in the country, and mudslides and rockslides are possible in some areas of the republic. A north arctic cyclone brought with it heavy rainfalls overnight to Wednesday, while temperatures dropped from 35 degrees above zero to +21C. Rains with short intervals will continue till the end of the week.
