Barsem Village is located on a large alluvial fan and adjacent smaller fluvial terraces. Around 1500 people lived in this village located in the south-eastern corner of Tajikistan, next to the border with Afghanistan, about 20 km upstream of Khorogh, the main town in Badakhshan.
At least 14 major debris flows occurred in the Barsem Valley between 16 and 20 July 2015 during an exceptional period of hot weather combined with exceptional rainfall. About 80 houses were destroyed, traffic and energy lines interrupted and fields submerged. At least one person lost his life during the disaster.