New EDB brief: potential landslide losses in Central Asia estimated at US$3.59 billion
Almaty, 21 October 2026 — The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) has published a new analytical brief on landslide risks in Central Asian cities. Landslides pose a hidden threat to critical urban infrastructure across the region. Potential direct losses are estimated at US$3.59 billion. The brief highlights the need to account for these risks in urban planning and infrastructure development.
Key findings:
· Potential losses. Estimated direct losses amount to US$3.02 billion for roads, US$382 million for railways and US$186 million for buildings.
· Areas requiring particular attention. These include the Ayni district and parts of Dushanbe in Tajikistan; the Akhangaran district in the Tashkent Region and a section of the Tashkent–Osh corridor in Uzbekistan; and selected foothill areas in Almaty and the Almaty Region in Kazakhstan.
· Cascading impacts. The consequences of landslides extend beyond direct physical damage. Events in Nepal on 24–27 September 2026 demonstrated how slope failures disrupt transport and energy infrastructure: 31 bridges and hundreds of homes were damaged, while 12 hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 358 MW were disconnected from the grid, leading to power supply restrictions for industrial users.
· Practical measures. The region’s priority is to account for landslide risks in urban planning and infrastructure investment. Key measures include complying with regulations in water protection zones and restricting construction on floodplains and unstable slopes. Monitoring, timely warnings, established evacuation routes and regular drills are essential to reducing the impacts. The design of bridges, roads, water intakes and power grids should account for the potential for cascading failures and include alternative transport links.
The full brief is available here.
Additional Information:
The Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) is a multilateral development bank investing in Eurasia. For 20 years, the Bank has worked to strengthen and expand economic ties and foster comprehensive development in its member countries. By the end of June 2026, the EDB’s cumulative portfolio comprised 348 projects with a total investment of $22.1 billion. Its portfolio consists principally of projects with an integration effect in transport infrastructure, digital systems, green energy, agriculture, manufacturing and mechanical engineering. The Bank adheres to the UN S tainable Development Goals and ESG principles in its operations.
The EDB is implementing three mega-projects as part of its 2022–2026 Strategy: the Eurasian Transport Network, the Eurasian Commodity Distribution Network and the Central Asian Water and Energy Complex.
The EDB Media Centre:
+7 (727) 244 40 44, ext. 4774, 2160