QURGHON TEPPA, May 13, 2001, Asia-Plus  -- Torrential rain that hit the Shahritus district, Khatlon province Thursday afternoon caused flood that affected the village of Pakhtaobod, Rahimjon Ochildiyev, the deputy chairman of Shahritus, said in an interview with Asia-Plus.

According to him, the flood affected 116 houses in Pakhtaobod; nine houses were destroyed completely.  Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

The families that were left homeless are currently living at their relatives’ homes or in mosques.  All of them are provided with food products and primary necessities, Ochildiyev said.

A special commission has been set up in Shahritus to assess the actual volume of damage caused by the flood and mitigate its effects.