Amidst a deluge of torrential rain battering northern and northwestern Afghanistan, devastating floods have claimed the lives of over 300 people, according to the UN Food Program. The catastrophic floods have wreaked havoc, with more than 1,000 houses destroyed in the wake of the relentless downpour.
“Flash floods ravage #Afghanistan, killing more than 300 people in Baghlan and destroying more than 1000 houses,” announced the UN Food Program, highlighting the severity of the situation exacerbated by unusually heavy rainfall.
The World Health Organization (WHO) underscored the dire humanitarian crisis, noting that countless individuals have been rendered homeless, while essential services such as transportation, water, and waste systems have been severely disrupted.
“The impact has been profound, leading to loss of life and injuries, with many individuals still unaccounted for,” stated the WHO’s Afghanistan office, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The floods have inflicted damage on health facilities, with four health centers damaged and one completely destroyed.
In response to the crisis, the WHO is mobilizing health teams to provide critical medical assistance to the affected areas.
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid acknowledged the scale of destruction, reporting that floods in four provinces have obliterated up to 3,000 homes and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including roads.
In a bid to provide relief to the affected population, Taliban authorities have launched rescue and relief operations, dispatching helicopters to assist civilians stranded by the floods. Mujahid urged solidarity and support from all Afghan citizens to aid the flood victims, as entire villages lie devastated in the aftermath of the natural disaster.
Last month, Afghanistan witnessed a similar catastrophe, with heavy rain and floods claiming the lives of at least 70 people and leaving scores injured across different regions of the country.
From News Desk