Qala-i-Naw residents demand fortification of river banks

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Some residents of Qala-i-Naw, the provincial capital of northwestern Badghis province have expressed their concern about the destruction caused by the floods water to river sides and asked authorities to asked steps for its fortification.

The residents of Qala-i-Naw city become worried about the safety of themselves when the spring time monsoon rainfalls intensify.

The terrible floods that originate from Sabzak Dam every year threatened the houses on both sides of the riverbanks in Qala-i-Naw city.

However a number of the residents of Badghis urged the governmental authorities to strengthen the riverbanks by building retaining walls to secure their houses from the floods’ water.

Amir Mohammad, who lives near the riverbank, said due to the lack of retaining walls, most of the houses along the river were destroyed or were in danger of being destroyed.

He asked for the consideration of the acting government to build retaining walls on both sides of the riverbanks.

Jawad, another resident of has also asked the government to build retaining walls on the banks of the river and prevent from the occurrence of unpleasant accidents.

He said, the people do not feel safe from the riverbanks, as it rains they live in apprehension and felt threatened.

The civil activists of Badghis province also ask for the consideration of the government.

Abdul Rahim Atif, a civil activist urged the government to include the cost of building retaining walls along the riverbanks in its annual budget for 1402 solar year.

Atif said, if the government does not pay its attention to the riverbanks, the floods water can sweep their houses.

However, Ahmad Jan Hanzala, the spokesman of the governor stressed that it is important to complete the project of strengthening the riverbanks, efforts are on to finalize this project during this year, he added.

Once the project is completed, the houses on both sides of the riverbank will be secured, Hanzala said.

However, some parts of the riverbanks were strengthened during the previous government, but some parts still remain un-strengthened.

Aw/nh

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