Afghanistan has been struck by a series of floods by heavy seasonal rains resulting in destruction and loss of life. The floods have affected multiple provinces including northern and central regions.
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The flooding claimed at least 60 lives with dozens still missing, according to Abdul Wahid Hamas, spokesperson for Ghor’s provincial governor.
Last week over 300 people lost their lives and more than 1,600 were injured in flash floods across Afghanistan.
Thousands of homes and properties have been damaged and hundreds of hectares of agricultural land destroyed in Ghor province alone.
In Faryab province, 18 people lost their lives and two others were injured, while in the hard-hit western province, at least 50 fatalities were reported. The floods have also led to the deaths of over 300 animals.
Key infrastructure such as bridges and culverts have been destroyed, hindering access to affected areas and hampering rescue and relief efforts.
In Firoz Koh, the capital city of Ghor province, around 2,000 shops were submerged and most roads leading to the city were rendered impassable.
Survivors have been left without homes, livelihoods, or access to essential services, compounding the already dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
The World Food Organization (WFP) highlighted the urgent need for food aid especially in inaccessible areas like Baghlan province.
A helicopter crash attributed to technical issues, underlined the dangers faced by those involved in rescue operations.
Afghanistan is identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change with recurrent natural disasters exacerbating existing challenges.
The country’s meteorological department has warned of the potential for further rain and floods across all provinces.
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International organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are mobilizing resources to assist affected communities.
Efforts are focused on providing emergency shelter, food, water, and healthcare services to those displaced by the floods.
According to reports, the death toll from the floods has surpassed numbers with over 315 people confirmed dead and thousands more injured.
In the central Ghor province alone, at least 50 people lost their lives, and the toll is expected to rise as rescue and recovery efforts continue.
The northern provinces of Ghor and Farayab also suffered casualties with 68 and 18 reported deaths respectively.
The floods have caused damage to infrastructure with thousands of houses destroyed or partially damaged.
In Ghor province, 2,000 houses were completely destroyed, and 4,000 others were partially damaged, leaving many families homeless. Critical roads and transportation routes have been cut off.
In Ghor province alone, hundreds of hectares of agricultural land and orchards have been submerged, resulting in the loss of thousands of livestock.
The Afghan government in collaboration with humanitarian organizations has initiated relief efforts to provide assistance to affected communities.
Local authorities are mobilizing resources to address the immediate needs of survivors, including shelter, food, and medical aid.
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