AKIPRESS.COM - Natural disasters killed 51 people and caused damage amounting to 76.77 million somoni (over $7 million) in Tajikistan in 2023, Chairman of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defense Rustam Nazarzoda said, according to Asia-Plus.

Over 550 natural disasters were recorded in Tajikistan last year, which is 140 events less than in 2022. The number of deaths increased by 43 people.

"335 avalanches, 79 mudflows, 47 earthquakes, 26 rockfalls, 22 landslides, 17 increases in water levels, 10 cases of strong winds, 12 cases of heavy rains, three thunderstorms and lightning, as well as two cases of severe frosts occurred," the Chairman noted.

According to Rustam Nazarzoda, the assistance provided by the Presidential Fund and the government to those affected by natural disasters last year amounted to almost 13.2 million somoni ($1.3 million).

The number of the most dangerous areas for living in Tajikistan has decreased by 261 due to the resettlement of citizens and the implementation of bank protection, the Chairman added.

There are 1,209 dangerous areas for living, of which 515 are the most dangerous, with almost 15,000 people living there, Rustam Nazarzoda said.