In Tajikistan, a country where 93% of the territory is covered by mountains, recent devastating mudslides have served as yet another reminder of the power of nature; however, the example of the Yori jamoat has proven that a balanced consideration of climate risks can prevent catastrophe.
While the destructive mudflows of July 10-12, 2026, caused severe damage to infrastructure in the Ayni and Penjikent districts, specifically heavily damaging roads and communication lines in the villages of Darg and Kazdon, the villages of Khojai Khavloi and Shakhboz Akhmedov in the Yori jamoat managed to avoid large-scale destruction. No casualties were reported in these settlements, despite the generally difficult situation across the Sughd region.
This is the result of a riverbank protection project completed in January 2026. As part of the work, a mudflow diversion channel was restored, and a protective embankment was reinforced along the most critical section of the bank. These measures made it possible to properly distribute the water flow and divert the main impact away from residential areas. Consequently, 391 households and approximately 1560 residents received additional protection.
Beyond engineering structures, the human factor played a crucial role. Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) proactively conducted a series of training sessions in the village, teaching residents the correct procedures to follow in the event of a mudflow threat.
Protecting Before Disaster Strikes
The Yori experience confirms the effectiveness of Tajikistan’s chosen strategy for disaster prevention. Considering that more than 80% of its settlements are located in risk zones, preventive measures have become a matter of national security.
An example of this approach is the climate risk assessment in the Zeravshan River Basin, previously conducted under the CRM CA programme. This assessment made it possible to identify vulnerable areas and allocate resources toward reinforcing riverbanks before disaster struck. As practice shows, investments in protective dams, riverbed clearing, and public education pay off many times over, preserving not only infrastructure but also human lives.
