Potential damage from landslides in Central Asia estimated at $3.59 billion
The Eurasian Development Bank has calculated the risks following the destruction in Nepal
According to the bank's estimates, the total potential direct losses for Central Asia from landslides could amount to $3.59 billion. The largest share of the risk falls on transport arteries: - roads: $3.02 billion; - railways: $382 million; - buildings and structures: $186 million.
Key transport hubs in the region, including a critically important section of the high-altitude highway Tashkent–Osh, are at risk.
The EDB emphasizes that landslides rank fourth in the world among natural disasters in terms of the number of victims. The increase in the threat is directly linked to human factors—chaotic construction on unstable slopes, development of floodplains, and errors in territorial planning.
Scientists urge the authorities of the region's countries to strictly adhere to construction regulations in water protection zones and to obligatorily account for landslide risks when planning urban and infrastructure investments.
