At least 21 fatalities after floods and landslides in Tajikistan

Tajikistan experienced extensive flooding and landslides on August 27, 2023, according to reports from the country's emergency agencies. The Emergency Situations Committee in Tajikistan said that broad-scale disaster occurred, impacting several regions including Dushanbe, Vahdat, Hisor, Rudaki, Varzob, Devashtich, Rasht, Sangvor, and Tajikabad. Furthermore, numerous roads were blocked and significant damage was reported to residential structures in the affected areas.

In Vahdat, eleven people tragically died as a mudslide and flood debris buried approximately 15 vehicles. Fortunately, two people were rescued from this situation. The flooding also affected rural communities in the district, leading to the evacuation of at least 100 farmsteads. The Emergency Situations Committee also reported that roads and five bridges sustained damage, impeding access to these communities.

Rudaki District witnessed a similar incident in the village of Rohati, where two people lost their lives due to mudslides and flood. In the capital of Tajikistan, some areas experienced damage to roads and buildings, resulting in traffic disruptions. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries or fatalities in this part of the country. To the east of the capital, the Tojikobod district suffered severe damage to a bridge and a section of the Dushanbe-Vahdat-Lakhsh-Saritosh highway.

In response to this devastating natural disaster, President Emomali Rahmon extended his condolences to the affected families and survivors, instructing relevant authorities to provide assistance to those impacted and to take immediate measures to address the disaster's aftermath.