Amu River threatens areas in Balkh districts

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Shor-Tepa and Kaldar districts of northern Balkh province are threatened by flooding in Amu River, officials said on Tuesday.

In the past couple of years, many acres of land and houses have been destroyed due to floods and a rise in river water level.

Irrigation Director Eng. Asmatullah told Pajhwok Afghan News every year more than 100 acres of agricultural land were inundated by Amu water.

He said there were 21 areas in Shor Tepa, Kaldar and Hairatan port where floods threatened land and residents. Last year, he recalled, three protective walls were built in Hairatan. Asmatullah urged the government to take preemptive measures.

Qurban, a Shor-Tepa official, said the district was located near the river and every year their lands were destroyed by floods.

Hazara Toqi, Hariq Bator, Pas Raq, Islam-Awlia and other localities faced threat from the river, he added. This year alone, at least 500 acres of land and 145 houses have been affected by floods.

Abdul Habib Karimi, a Kaldar district official, said the rise of water level was the biggest challenge to their day-to-day lives. Balkh officials say they have informed the centre many times about the threats.

hg/mud

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