DUSHANBE, August 18, 2016, Asia-Plus – Mudslides that hit some jamoats (the third-level administrative divisions, similar to communes or municipalities) of the northern city of Isfara on August 16 have reportedly caused serious damage to the city’s residential area.  

Umeda Yusupova, a spokeswoman for the Committee on Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CES) under the Government of Tajikistan, says six residential buildings have been destroyed completely and ten others have been damaged partially.

“Besides, 272 other houses have been affected by the mudslides,” Yusupova said, noting that no casualties were reported.

The CES rescue teams are currently working in the site to provide assistance to the disaster-affected families and a special commission has been set up to assess actual damage caused by the mudslides to the city.     

Meanwhile, Iqbol Teshaeyv, a spokesman for the Isfara mayor’s office, says the preliminary damage caused to the city’s economy has been estimated at 13.239 million somoni.