What happened, where and when?
On 23 March 2023, two earthquakes were registered on the territory of Tajikistan. The first one occurred at 1:07 local time. The epicenter of the earthquake was registered 6-7 km away from Paldorak village, Langar rural jamoat of Kuhistoni Mastchoh district of Sughd Region. The intensity of the first tremors was of 5 to 6 magnitude in the aforementioned districts, 4 to 5 magnitude in Rasht district, and 3 to 4 magnitude as measured in Dushanbe city.
The second earthquake occurred at a depth of 40 km at 07:53 local time, with a magnitude of 4.8. In Dushanbe, the intensity of the tremors was 1 to 2 magnitudes and a tremor of 2 magnitudes struck Rasht district. According to preliminary information, no deaths were reported, however, three residents of the Kuhistoni Mastchoh district were injured.
Scope and Scale
On 28 March 2023, Tajikistan Governmental Commission on damages identified the scale of damages and losses, that include 318 damaged houses in Kuhistoni Mashoh district of Sughd province. All damaged properties were inspected by the Emergency Situations Commission in Paldorak, Yarm, and Pakshif villages of Langar rural jamoat of Kuhistoni Mashoh district. Paldorak village was affected the most with 165 houses damaged. In Pakshif village 49 houses, in Yarm- 23, in Dashti Miyona -11, in Dehmanoro -18, in Rogh – 44, in Samjon – 7 and in Khudqifi Bolo -7 houses were damaged by the earthquake. All damaged houses and auxiliary structures were built in the 1970s and 80s. The damaged structures are located on hills and had weak foundations, the earthquake has damaged walls and timber structures, rendering these homes unsafe.
Since Kuhistoni Mastchoh is a mountainous district, it suffers from irrigation land scarcity. Majority of the population is engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture. The key agriculture product is potato growing. The earthquake destroyed many cattle sheds, killing a significant number of big and small cattle – in total, 18 heads of cattle, 27 heads of small cattle and two horses. The 750-meter irrigation canal, which was damaged by the earthquake, deteriorated the vulnerability of population engaged in agriculture. This canal has also served as a drinking water source. Since the canal was damaged affected people are forced to fetch water from long distances.
Rasht and Nurobod districts of Republican Subordination were also affected. According to the Damage Estimation Commission report, 49 houses were significantly damaged in Rasht and Nurobod districts. 32 houses were slightly damaged in affected villages of Rasht district: Porvoq – 15 houses, Duoba – five houses, Saridasht – two houses, Tagoba – three houses, Mulobadal – five houses, Khurikhami – one house, and Pojei Poyon – one house; and 29 houses slightly damaged in affected villages of Nurobod district: Kalnazar- five houses; Kabutiyon – four houses, Pandovchi – three houses, and Tegirmi – 17 houses.
Source: Relief Web
