Amu flooding: Kunduz residents complain of losses

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Some residents of the Imam Sahib district of northern Kunduz province complain about the destruction of their agricultural lands and homes by flooding in Amur River.

They say frequent flooding in the river massively damage their crops and houses. If the river’s banks were not fortified, they feared, all their properties would be washed away.

Mohammad Mir, a resident of Sher Khan Port area, said they had thrice left their homes and had witnessed the destruction of thousands of acres of agricultural land due to flooding.

He urged the government to establish retaining walls and put an end to the erosion of farmlands and prevent the displacement of locals.

He warned if immediate action was not taken, most of the land would be eroded by the river.

Ghulam Sakhi, hailing from the same neighbourhood, said: “600 acres of land, including mosques, houses have already been damaged by floods. The destruction must be stopped.”

Hamidullah Walizada, technical advisor, said: “I want to inform the people that a team recently conducted a preliminary survey of the vulnerable points. We have shared this problem with the Ministry of Energy and Water.”

Flooding in Amu River, Afghanistan’s formal border with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, affects several provinces of the country every year.

sa/mud