In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the head of the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, Rustam Nazarzoda, noted on July 31 that natural disasters officially reported in the country over the first six months of this year have left at least 15 dead.  

According to him, nine of them were killed by mudslides, four were killed by lightning strike, and two others were killed by landslides.  

“532 emergency situations have bene registered in the country over the reporting period, which is 57 cases more than in the same period last year,” Nazarzoda said, noting that 164 residential buildings were damaged; 64 of them were destroyed completely.

Rustam Nazarzoda; photo / Asia-Plus

Besides, the natural disasters have reportedly also damaged six schools and kindergartens, 1,863 auxiliary facilities, 66 bridges and 294.2 kilometers of roads over the first six months of this year.

The natural disasters have also damaged 2,498.59 hectares of sown areas worth 24 million somonis over the same six-month period. 

A general damage caused by natural disasters to Tajikistan’s economy over the first six months of this year has been estimated at 130,693,500 somonis, the emergency chief officer added.