KHUJAND, January 15, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- The hydroelectric power plant (HPP) Qairoqqum was closed today early morning due to accident, leaving a number of cities and districts in northern Tajikistan without electricity.

According to the branch of Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding for the Sughd province, the station was closed at 1:55 am and they are doing everything under their control to resume the plant’s operation by today evening.

In the meantime, deputy mayor of the city of Qairoqqum , Rahmat Burhonov, told Asia-Plus today that sudden water flooding of the plant’s basement had damaged all pumps.   Rehabilitation work is under way.

It is to be noted that the Qairoqqum HPP provides electricity supplies to some 30 percent of Sughd’s population.

Built in 1957, the Qairoqqum HPP has six units.