A meeting of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO)’s government was held this week to review the results of socio-economic development of the region over the first three months of this year and discuss tasks set for the second half of this year.
It was noted during the meeting that more than 258 natural disasters have been registered in the region over the first quarter of this year.
73 houses have reportedly been damaged by disasters; 16 of them have been destroyed completely.
Dozens of avalanches have hit the region over the past winter. Avalanches in the GBAO claimed at least 18 lives as of the morning of February 18, including 15 in GBAO’s capital, Khorog, one in Shugnan district and two in Vanj district. The dead reportedly are known to include two children, three schoolchildren and nine students.
According to the Emergencies Committee spokeswoman, 44 avalanches came down in territories of Darvoz, Vanj, Rushan, Shugnan, Roshtqala and Ishkashim districts of the GBAO on February 16 alone.
On February 21, 38 avalanches reportedly came down in Rushan district alone.
A total damage caused by natural disasters to GBAO over the first three months of year has been estimated 15.8 million somonis.
Restoration work is under way in the region.
