Amu River flood damages road, forest in Shaghnan

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Flood in Amu River caused partial blockade of the Darwazaha Ring Road and destruction of forest in the Shaghnan district of northeastern Badakhshan province, according to local residents on Sunday.

they said due to the road blockade residents were unable to transfer their sick family members to the clinics as well as it caused hurdle in the way of students to go to their schools.

Navidullah Darwish, the resident of Roshan area in Shaghnan district, said due to flood in the Amu River and installation of obstacles on the other side of the river to change the direction of water the Ring Road that connected five districts was partially damaged.

He said: “Several hectares of forest have also been destroyed in Mahal Mian, Maimi-Shaghnan district due to the rising water of the Amu River, in addition to all these problems, the transfer of patients to the health center and the transportation of students to Pajo High School in Chavid village have also faced difficulties.”

Khosh Mohammad, the resident of Shaghnan district, said obstacle placed on the bank of river by Tajikistan force the direction of water to change. The secondary school where students study had been flooded by water and the student give exams in tents.

He added over the past several years their agriculture lands were destroyed by the flood water from Amu River and asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to address their problems.

Public Works Department Director Mawlavi Abdul Ghafoor said: “We acknowledged the problems faced by the residents of Shaghnan district but due to the lack of resources and no cooperation from NGOs we were unable to address their problems.”

He, however, said the problems would be conveyed to the Public Works Ministry and would wait for the direction from to top.

But Damullah Amanullah Chehra, head of the Rural Rehabilitation (RRDD) and Development Authority, said currently the roads construction program of RRDD had been on halt and the problems faced by the local people would be conveyed to the NGOs.

The recalled the issues faced by the people demanded an emergency response and he would again raise the issue with relevant authorities.

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