Floods in Turkmenistan primarily occur due to intense seasonal rainfall, rapid snowmelt from the Pamir and Tien Shan mountains, [1] [2] [3] and ice jams in major rivers, including the Amu Darya and Murghab. [4] [5] [6] Flooding is most common during the spring thaw, when incoming snowmelt and glacial runoff from upstream regions exceed the capacity of existing infrastructure, particularly in areas where riverbeds have risen due to sedimentation. [7] [8] The Murghab River has reportedly risen by nearly three meters in recent decades. [9] Notable flood events have occurred in 1969, 1993, 1997, and 2024, affecting areas such as Ashgabat, Mary Province, and Ahal Region. [10] [11] [12] According to the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED), Turkmenistan has recorded total flood-related economic losses exceeding USD 2.7 billion. [13]
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