MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Afghanistan): Residents of Shortapa district in northern Balkh province say that despite efforts to fortify the banks of the Amu River, its waves continue to pose a significant threat to their safety and livelihood.
The Shortapa and Kaldar districts of Balkh were badly affected by the flooded Amu River, which devastated houses, highways, mosques, schools and agricultural land.
Last year, the caretaker government allocated two billion Afghanis to strengthen the Amu River and launched several urgent projects along its banks.
However, local residents consider these measures insufficient.
Qurban Nazar, a resident of the district, noted that while the emergency fortification was built, the waves of the river still threatened their land.
He said some families had already moved due to the destruction of the river and those remaining were living in constant fear.
He urged the government to build a retaining wall along the river banks and the border with Uzbekistan.
Similarly, Ghulam Mulla of Hazaz Tuqi village expressed concern that emergency construction projects only provide temporary relief and tend to deteriorate over time.
He emphasized the need for a more permanent and fundamental solution to protect their district and village from further destruction.
Other residents echoed these sentiments and called on the incumbent government to implement permanent and effective strengthening measures.
Faridullah Ansari, field engineer for the Amu River Fortification, acknowledged that while the emergency fortifications mitigated some of the damage, permanent solutions were necessary.
Sayed Ghulam Mashwani, CEO of Amu River Fortifications, assured that the major fortification works will start soon.
He noted that basic strengthening projects have already begun in Badakhshan, Takhar, and Kunduz, with plans to expand the effort to Balkh province in the near future.
sa/ma
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