Tragedy struck Afghanistan as heavy rains and flash flooding claimed the lives of at least 33 individuals over a span of three days, as reported by the government’s disaster management department.
According to department spokesperson Janan Sayeq, the torrential rains led to devastating flash floods starting from Friday, resulting in significant human and financial losses.
Initial reports indicate that 33 people lost their lives, with 27 others sustaining injuries during the floods.
The majority of the casualties were due to roof collapses, with approximately 600 houses either damaged or completely destroyed. Furthermore, the disaster claimed the lives of 200 livestock, wiped out nearly 600km of roads, and submerged around 800 hectares of agricultural land, as stated by the spokesperson.
Twenty provinces across Afghanistan bore the brunt of the heavy rains, following an abnormally dry winter season that had left the land parched and delayed planting for farmers.
Provinces such as Western Farah, Herat, southern Zabul, and Kandahar suffered the most damage, according to Sayeq.
People wait to cross a flooded area in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province [Sanaullah Seiam/AFP]
Authorities have issued warnings of more rain expected in the upcoming days across various provinces in Afghanistan.
With the decline in foreign aid since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, relief efforts for natural disasters have been significantly hampered in the impoverished nation.
Earlier this year, heavy snowfall led to a landslide claiming 25 lives in eastern Afghanistan, while a three-week period of precipitation ending in March resulted in about 60 fatalities.
The United Nations has highlighted Afghanistan’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions, attributing the phenomenon to global warming. After enduring decades of conflict, Afghanistan remains ill-equipped to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.
Link from www.aljazeera.com
