UN: Tajikistan increasingly vulnerable to floods and droughts

Tajikistan is increasingly vulnerable to floods, droughts and landslides as climate change brings rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns, according to the fourth Environmental Performance Review of Tajikistan presented by the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in Dushanbe. The review assesses developments in the country’s environmental policy since 2016 and covers climate change, water resources, air pollution, waste management, energy, transport, agriculture and environmental impacts on public health. UNECE experts issued 87 recommendations linked to 15 UN Sustainable Development Goals. More than 70% of natural disasters are water-related More than 70% of natural disasters in Tajikistan are water-related and account for more than 80% of damage caused by natural disasters, according to data presented at the review’s launch.

Floods cause an estimated $122 million in damage annually, equivalent to about 1. 4% of GDP. The review says Tajikistan is particularly vulnerable to floods, droughts and landslides, including in river basins fed by glaciers. These rivers are critical for hydropower generation and irrigation. Climate projections indicate rising temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns and a possible increase in the frequency of floods and droughts. The review also highlights the connection between water availability and energy production, noting that water shortages during hot periods could reduce electricity generation at hydropower plants. As of 2024, effective climate change adaptation measures were lacking at the national, regional and local levels, according to the review. Water and sanitation remain challenges Only about 41% of Tajikistan’s population has access to piped water, with groundwater wells among the main sources, the…