JALALABAD (Pajhwok): The situation was brought under control after the Alishang river level swelled and threatened thousands of families, officials in eastern Laghman province said on Saturday.
A number of areas would have been inundated if the river had burst its banks, the governor’s spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, told Pajhwok Afghan News.
He said a joint committee, headed by the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) chief, strengthened and rehabilitated in 15 days the river’s eroding section.
He believed if the river had burst its banks, nearly 20,000 families and 25,000 acres of arable land would have been affected.
“A large number of workers, extended with technical assistance, have been able to control the river near the Toman dam and in Omarzai area at a cost of 800,000 afghanis.”
Zofnon Sapi, who represents Laghman in the lower house of parliament, said the Alishang river had been brought under relative control by the provincial administration.
“But only sand and clay have been used on both sides of the river to prevent flooding. This is not enough,” the lawmaker said.
He said if the water level further increased, it could lead to the dam breach, stressing a concrete embankment.
Sapi said the ministries concerned should work jointly to construct remaining walls on both sides of the river.
A resident of the Omarzai area, Qari Nasir, said the governor’s house had done a good job preventing the river from causing havoc, but called for a permanent solution to the problem.
He said the area could be rescued from being flooded if a 1000-mere retaining wall was constructed, saying a permanent solution lied in the construction of Tangi Dawlat Shah and Watan Gat dams.
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