More than 300 individuals lost their lives in flash floods that swept through various provinces in Afghanistan, according to the UN’s World Food Programme.
The catastrophe prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency and initiate urgent rescue operations for the injured.
Torrential downpours on Friday triggered torrents of water and mud that inundated villages and farmlands in multiple provinces, resulting in what one aid organization termed a “major humanitarian emergency.”
Survivors scoured through streets covered in mud and debris while damaged structures stood as grim reminders of the disaster.
Rescue teams and aid organizations mobilized swiftly, though some areas remained inaccessible due to the flooding.
Among the severely affected areas was Baghlan province, where over 300 fatalities were reported, with thousands of homes either destroyed or damaged, as per the World Food Programme.
Discrepancies in death tolls between government reports and humanitarian agencies surfaced, highlighting the extent of the devastation.
Northern Takhar province reported 20 deaths while neighboring Badakhshan accounted for two fatalities.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban government, acknowledged the scale of the tragedy on Twitter, stating, “Hundreds of our fellow citizens have succumbed to these calamitous floods.”
The aftermath of the floods left communities grappling with immense loss. Jan Mohammad Din Mohammad, a resident of Pul-e-Khumri, described how his entire life was swept away, leaving him and his family destitute.
Emergency responders worked tirelessly to evacuate and aid stranded individuals, with the Air Force initiating evacuation operations as weather conditions improved.
In response to the crisis, the UN and other humanitarian organizations pledged support, recognizing the urgent need for assistance.
The International Rescue Committee emphasized the need for immediate action and long-term planning to address Afghanistan’s vulnerability to such disasters, compounded by decades of conflict and the looming threat of climate change.
These devastating floods serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges Afghanistan faces and the critical importance of international solidarity and support in times of crisis.
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