The death toll from an avalanche that hit the mountainous Central Asian republic of Tajikistan in mid-February has risen to 19, authorities said on Monday (February 20th). “From February 15 to February 19, 200 avalanches, 7 landslides and 6 rockslides were recorded” and “19 of our compatriots were killed in avalanches” , indicated the emergency committee.
Condolences
Tajikistan, the poorest of the former Soviet republics, is often plagued by natural disasters. Almost all of those killed lived in Gorno-Badakhshan (also known as Gorno-Badakhshan), an autonomous region bordering Afghanistan, China and Kyrgyzstan.
Upper Badakhshan is surrounded by the majestic Pamir Mountains, with peaks over 7,000 meters above sea level. Due to inadequate transport infrastructure, this remote region accounts for about half of Tajikistan’s territory, but only 2% of Tajikistan’s more than 9.5 million people. President Emomali Rahmon, in power for three decades, has received telegrams of condolence from leaders of former Soviet republics, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ibrahim Rashid.
source: senenews
