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Kyrgyzstan: Floods - May 1998

Disaster description

As a result of torrential rains during the last days, the oblasttar (= administrative divisions; sing.: oblast) of Jalal-Abad and Osh in the western/south-western parts of the Kyrgyz Republic were heavily affected by floods. Due to the flooding a dam at the Kugart river broke and flooded the adjacent area. According to the updated disaster assessment one person has been killed, some 1,250 houses, 40 offices and about 60 kilometers of power supply lines, roads and irrigation canals have been destroyed. Overall some 10,000 people have been affected. (OCHA, 20 May 1998)

Severe and widespread flooding hit the Suzak rayon of Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyz Republic, caused by torrential rains starting on 18 May 1998. The situation was made worse by a broken dam on the Kugart river. As of 22 May 1998, the water was receding, the broken dam was repaired and 8,760 victims of the floods resettled. (OCHA, 26 May 1998)

On 19 May 1998, as a result of the torrential rains that hit Jalal-Abad and Osh Oblasts of the Kyrgyz Republic, the level of the Kugart river rose dramatically, broke a 100 meter-wide dam and flooded a large territory. The floods claimed one human life and caused about 7,728 people to abandon their homes. In Suzak village alone some 1,170 houses, 40 offices, 4 two-story buildings and 45 km of power transmission lines were destroyed. One bridge was demolished and 40 km of the road between Jalal-Abad and Karasuu was damaged. Reported damage in other areas included 15 km of damaged water supply network and some 1,204 hectares of flooded land. The Government mobilized all internal available resources to meet the need of the affected population. (OCHA, 2 Jul 1998)

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