DUSHANBE, April 19, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- Natural disasters reported in the country in the first quarter of this year have left one dead, Khaybullo Latipov, head of the Committee for Emergency Situations (CES), announced at a news conference in Dushanbe today.

According to him, sixteen natural disasters have occurred in Tajikistan over the report period.  419 houses have been affected.  Two houses are destroyed to the extent of being unsuitable for living, while 417 house are partially affected and in need of repair.

“In January-March 2010, 81 natural disasters hit the country and 17 persons were killed in those disasters,” said the CES head, “More than 2,500 houses were affected in January-March last year.”