Tajikistan: Floods and Mudslides - May 2016

The 9 May 2016 mudflows that killed at least four people in Sughd Province continued throughout 11-12 May and affected an additional eight districts countrywide.

The most affected districts as a result of mudflows over the period of 9-12 May remain Panjekent (Sughd Province) and Rudaki (Direct Ruled Districts).

Initial estimates indicate at least 1,200 households are affected in Rudaki District alone, in addition to the 147 households already affected in Panjekent by the 9 May mudflow.

The total number of people affected or displaced by the floods/mudflow is yet to be confirmed as the Government-led assessment continues. (REACT, 12 May 2016)

On 20 May, continuous heavy rains have caused mudflows in Hakimi Jamoat of Nurobod District (Direct Ruled Districts). As of 24 May, the mudflow affected at least 50 households and reportedly killed more than 30 heads of cattle. Assessment of damage and potential humanitarian needs in the affected Jamoat is ongoing. As of 25 May, the disaster did not result in human loss, injuries or displacement.

An estimated 5,500 people are in need of assistance and 1,350 households are potentially affected. (REACT, 25 May 2016)

A person injured by the floods on 12 May in Rudaki District has died following 15 days in a local hospital. As of 3 June, the total number of killed by the emergency stands at six people (Aini, Panjakent, Rasht and Rudaki). Continuous rains have caused some additional local mudflows in several districts of Rasht Valley. However, as of 3 June, these additional events did not result in humanitarian needs or significant damage to livelihoods or infrastructure. (REACT, 3 June 2016)

Panjakent and Rudaki were the most affected districts with the largest number of vulnerable people requiring humanitarian aid. Overall, 1,600 families (10,000 people) have been affected in all districts. In other districts, floods caused damages to bridges, households, livelihoods, roads and social infrastructure. The disasters damaged over 800 ha. of arable land and killed significant number of livestock, leaving many families without main source of livelihood. Furthermore, mudflows damaged several junctions of the Dushanbe-Khorog strategic highway, cutting 230,000 people in GornoBadakhshan Autonomous Oblast from the country’s capital for a period of seven days. (OCHA, 30 Jun 2016)