Sudden releases of water into the Spitamen district from Kyrgyzstan are regularly endangering the neighboring Tajik arable land downstream and villages along the river. The Tajik communities are convinced upstream Kyrgyz communities are responsible for the flooding. However, local experts suggest that increased water levels in spring the later years may also be due to increased and rapid ice and snow melt down caused by a warmer climate in the highland watersheds.

Year: 2006

From collection: Environment and Security: Central Asia- Ferghana/Osh/Khujand Area

Cartographer: Viktor Novikov, UNEP/GRID-Arendal