In the Toyloq district of Samarkand region, a dam along the Zarafshan River was washed away on a section of the new railway connecting Samarkand city and Urgut district.

The incident occurred in the “Do‘stlik” neighborhood of Toyloq district, where the railway runs along the Zarafshan River. Videos show water eroding the soil beneath the rails, leaving part of the track unsupported and unusable for train traffic.

The damaged section is part of the new Samarkand-Urgut railway, which was commissioned in November 2025. The line is 55.4 km long and includes two stations, two stops, two bridges, and over 100 artificial structures.

The dam was intended to protect the railway tracks along the Zarafshan bank from water flow.

According to the company, the damage was caused by heavy rains in recent days in the mountainous regions of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Uzbekistan Railways reported that the water flow in the Zarafshan River increased from the usual 80-100 cubic meters per second to 300 cubic meters per second. As a result, the river eroded its banks and in some places changed its course.

“The riverbed widened to 30-40 meters near the railway, damaging the coastal railway infrastructure. Such a hydrological situation has not been observed in this area for the last 20 years,” the company statement said.

To ensure traffic safety, work is currently underway to reinforce the riverbanks with boulders. 15 pieces of special equipment have been deployed. Stones have been delivered to the site in 30 dump cars, and another 130 cars with construction materials have been sent to the area.

Uzbekistan Railways stated that all necessary measures are being taken to restore rail service and ensure uninterrupted train movement as soon as possible.

Source: www.gazeta.uz