KHUJAND, May 22, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Residents of the northern Sughd province affected by torrential rain and resulting rockfalls and mudflows have received insurance benefits from the Sughd branch the state-controlled insurance company, Tojiksughurta.

Chairperson of Tojiksughurta’s branch for Sughd, MS. Dilorom Jabborova said that the disaster-hit people had received totaling more than 56,000 somoni in insurance benefits.

In all, 251 residential buildings in the province have been damaged by disasters.  The worst hit areas are Panjakent, Ayni and Bobojonghafurov districts.

In Panjakent alone, 54 houses have been damaged by torrential rain and mudslides.  “All these residential buildings have been insured,” said Jabborova, “In all 56,038 somoni have been provided in insurance benefits to the disaster-hit families, which is little more than 200 somoni per each house.”

In the Ayni district, disasters have also killed 80 head of cattle and 730 head of sheep and goats.  According to Jabborova, farming units will receive insurance benefits at the rate of 70 percent of cost of livestock.  

Heavy rainfalls and floods have also demolished some 4,574 hectares of agricultural fields.  “Farms that insured their cotton harvests will receive insurance benefits at the end of the year,” Jabborova said.