KULOB, May 20, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Tajikistan’s savings bank, Amonatbonk, is the first to begin to construct houses for the flood-affected people on the outskirts of the village of Fayzobodi Bolo, Mahmadullo Rahmonov, the head of Amonatbonk’s branch in Kulob, said.

According to him, the bank plans to build houses for seven families.  “We will have no problems with delivery of building materials,” Rahmonov said.

As it had been reported earlier, a new settlement consisting of 94 houses will be built in this area.  Builders from the northern Sughd province will construct 40 houses here.

In all, 540 houses will be constructed in the Kulob zone of Khatlon province.  According to the commission for removal of disaster effects, the houses will be built not only to the flood-affected people but also for those whose houses will be demolished for establishment of safety zone along the Tebalay River.

The Kulob chief architect Ozod Hasanov told Asia-Plus on May 11 that they have to demolish 235 residential buildings in order to establish the safety zone.  A 30-meter safety zone will be established on both banks of the Tebalay River, he said.

We will recall that the Tebalay River breeched its banks on the night of May 6-7 in Kulob and people living in some parts of the city suffered severe damage to their homes.  Many people were killed by floods.