KULOB/DUSHANBE, May 2, Asia-Plus - Heavy rainfalls on April 29-30 caused a series of mudslides in Kulob, Shuroobod and Muminobod districts of the Khatlon province.

At least 50 residential buildings were damaged by mudslides in the Ziraki jamoat (community), Kulob district of Khatlon.  According to Amirali Rahimov, head of the Ziraki Jamoat, mudslides hit the villages of Jerqala, Sarezi Poyon and Ghafforov Monday morning. 

Rahimov says that of 50 residential buildings damaged by the disaster, 10 were destroyed completely.  The disaster also caused damage to the jamoat’s hospital, according to him.  Besides, 600 hectares of cotton fields and some 100 hectares of areas under cereals were damaged by the mudslides in the Kulob district.  No injured was reported, according to Rahimov.    

In the meantime, torrential rain on April 29-30 also caused damage to several farming units in Muminobod and Shuroobod districts in Khatlon, according to information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES).  The MES source says heavy rainfalls and strong wind damaged several residential buildings, bridges, gardens, and agriculture lands.

A government commission is currently working in the districts to assess actual damage caused by the disaster.  

According to information from the MES, a total damage caused by disasters to Tajikistan ’s economy over the first three months of the year has amounted to 6,798,400 Somonis, which is 1,148,600 Somonis fewer compared to the first quarter of 2005.  22 people have been killed in those disasters in Tajikistan over the first quarter of 2006.