Afghanistan Flood: Catastrophic Rains killed 50 Lives, Leave Over 2,000 Homes in Ruins

Afghanistan Flood – Heavy Rains Kill 50, Decimate Thousands of Homes!

At least 50 people have lost their lives, and numerous others are reported injured after a fresh wave hit of heavy rains and flooding in Afghanistan central Ghor province, according to local authorities on Saturday. Mawlawi Abdul Hai Zaeem, head of the information department for Ghor province, detailed that the rains began on Friday, cutting off many crucial roads in the area. While the exact number of injured remains unknown, the devastation is substantial, with 2,000 houses completely destroyed, 4,000 partially damaged, and over 2,000 shops submerged in the province’s capital, Feroz-Koh.

This tragic event follows last week’s catastrophic rains in northern Afghanistan, which claimed the lives of 315 people and left more than 1,600 injured. The ongoing severe weather highlights the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the escalating impacts of climate change.

On Wednesday, further complicating rescue efforts, a helicopter operated by the Afghan Air Force crashed due to technical issues while attempting to recover the bodies of flood victims in Ghor province. This crash resulted in one fatality and injured 12 others, as reported by the country’s defense ministry. Russian Mi17 utility helicopters, frequently utilized in such rescue operations, have played a critical role in responding to the recent spate of floods.

Catastrophic Afghanistan Flood: 50 Lives Lost, 2,000+ Homes Ravaged

The heavy rains have wreaked havoc across Afghanistan, particularly in northern regions where thousands of homes have been damaged, and livestock has been decimated. The Taliban-run refugee ministry reported severe damage to healthcare facilities and essential infrastructure, including water supplies, leaving many streets coated in mud. In the Nahrin district of Baghlan province, residents were seen carrying their deceased to gravesites, a somber reminder of the floods’ toll on the community.

Din Mohammad Hanif, the Taliban’s economy minister, issued a plea to the United Nations, humanitarian agencies, and private businesses to assist those affected by the floods. The World Food Organisation (WFO) echoed this call, emphasizing the dire situation for survivors who have been left without homes, land, or means of livelihood. With much of Baghlan province inaccessible by trucks, the WFO is exploring all possible alternatives to deliver food to those in need.

The Taliban’s State Ministry for Natural Disaster Management, represented by spokesman Abdullah Janan Saiq, confirmed that the flash floods also impacted Kabul. Rescue teams carrying food and aid were dispatched to the affected areas, although the scale of the disaster has made relief efforts challenging. This latest disaster follows previous floods in April that resulted in at least 70 fatalities.

Afghanistan’s susceptibility to natural disasters, including earthquakes, is well-documented. It is regarded by the UN as one of the nations most susceptible to climate change. The nation has struggled with a severe shortfall in aid since the Taliban took over after the withdrawal of foreign forces in 2021. This withdrawal led to a significant reduction in development aid, which had been crucial for government finances. The situation has further deteriorated as international attention is diverted to other global crises and as foreign governments increasingly condemn the Taliban’s restrictive policies on Afghan women.

The compounded effects of these natural disasters, coupled with a dwindling supply of international aid, have left Afghanistan in a precarious position. The need for immediate and sustained humanitarian assistance is more critical than ever as the country grapples with the devastating consequences of these floods.