The city of Zarafshan in the Navoi region once again faced a situation resembling a natural disaster. On the evening of August 2, a technical malfunction occurred in the "Oasis" dacha neighborhood, shocking the entire local population.
According to eyewitnesses, a main water pipe with a large diameter — approximately 1200 millimeters — burst on a wide scale and quickly flooded numerous yards and residential buildings in the area. Water entered homes, destroying not only the interior, but also household appliances, valuables, and personal documents.
In some houses, walls collapsed, roofs caved in, and floors sank. Most tragically, residents were completely unprepared for such a disaster. They stated that the water spread very fast, and many couldn't save their property in time.
Despite calls to emergency services, authorities were slow to respond. Reportedly, a single fire truck arrived but provided no assistance and left the scene, which sparked public outrage.
Only by morning did water supply and police personnel arrive at the site and began helping the affected residents. But by then, most people had already suffered significant damage.
Many families were left in need of temporary shelter, yet no support centers or medical aid were provided by the authorities. One local woman stated that her husband suffered from hypothermia due to cold water at night, but no doctors or ambulance were dispatched.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by the relevant authorities. However, this incident once again exposed the problems in the utility system, lack of preparedness for emergencies, and the negligence of responsible services.
Local activists, bloggers, and journalists have started bringing the issue to public attention. They are demanding not only immediate compensation but also systemic measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
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