DUSHANBE, July 21, 2016, Asia-Plus – Ten people have been killed by natural disasters in Tajikistan over the first six months of this year, Muhammadjon Salimzoda, the deputy head of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense under the Government of Tajikistan, announced at a news conference in Dushanbe on July 21.

“Seven people have been by natural disasters in Sughd province, two in Khatlon province, and one in the Rasht district,” Salimzoda said.

According to him, 41 natural disasters have been reported in the country over the same six-month period, including 24 mudslides and floods, seven wind squalls, four landslides, three lightning-and-thunderstorm-related  cases related, on case of rockfall, one case of earthquake, and one case of avalanche.

Natural disasters that have affected Tajikistan over the first six months of this year have reportedly damaged 955 houses; 72 houses have been destroyed completely.

“The disaster-affected families have received financial aid.  In all, the national budget has provided 4,343,650 somoni to render financial aid to the disaster-affected families,” Salimzoda said.  

Natural disasters have also damaged more than 12,000 hectares of agricultural lands and 88 hectares of forests, the emergencies official added.