DUSHANBE, July 28, 2015, Asia-Plus — Tajik President Emomali Rahmon is expected to pay a working visit to the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) on July 28, a source in the Tajik government told Asia-Plus in an interview.
According to him, the main purpose of the visit is for the president to get acquainted with the pace of mitigation of effects of mudslides and floods that hit the region recently.
While in Gorno Badakhshan, Emomali Rahmon is also scheduled to inaugurate a number of economic and social facilities in the region and give start to construction of a number of new facilities there, including hydropower facilities, the source said.
The president is also scheduled to hold meetings with regional administrators and the population of Gorno Badakhshan.
Meanwhile, according to some sources, reinforced security measures have been taken in connection with Rahmon’s visit to Gorno Badakhshan. Additional forces have reportedly been sent to Gorno Badakhshan to maintain public order in the region.
We will recall that mudslides and floods caused by melting glaciers have killed six people in the Vanj district.
Besides, severe mudflows triggered by glacial melt amid abnormally hot weather in the country affected the villages of Barsem, Berdibekobod and Kolkhozobod in the Shugnan district on July 16. The mudflows carrying with them the mass of slurry, huge rocks and uprooted trees formed a giant dam blocking the Ghund River and creating an artificial lake. Mudslides and floods destroyed dozens of residential buildings, trade and cultural facilities, electricity lines, and an irrigation system in the mentioned villages.
According to the government data, mudslides and floods destroyed 72 residential buildings in the Shugnan district. The families whose houses were destroyed were moved to a safer area and settled in a temporary tent camp.
Families, whose residential buildings were destroyed completely, received 10,000 somoni each and families, whose residential buildings were damaged martially, have received 6,000 somoni each.
