Central Afghanistan is reeling from the devastating aftermath of heavy rain and flooding, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of at least 50 people, as per official reports on Saturday.
The deluge began on Friday, catching many communities off guard and cutting off vital regional roads. Mawlawi Abdul Hai Zaem, head of the information department for Ghor province, expressed the lack of clarity regarding the number of injuries sustained during this calamity.
In western Afghanistan, similar flash flooding wreaked havoc, causing the loss of lives and widespread damage to properties. Abdul Rahman Badri, spokesperson for Ghor police, reported the destruction of approximately 2,000 houses, with thousands more suffering varying degrees of damage.
The floods not only devastated residential areas but also inflicted heavy losses on agricultural lands, livestock, and essential infrastructure such as bridges and culverts.
The recent spate of flooding adds to the woes of a country already grappling with the aftermath of a similar disaster earlier in May. Flash floods in northern Baghlan province had washed away hundreds of structures, leaving survivors in search of missing loved ones.
Badri lamented the loss of lives and property, emphasizing the scale of the catastrophe that has befallen Ghor province.
Eyewitnesses recount harrowing tales of families scrambling to higher ground upon hearing warnings, narrowly escaping the wrath of the onrushing floods.
Zahir Zahid, a resident of Firozkoh district, described the heart-wrenching scene of homes being swept away within minutes of their evacuation. The devastation left in the wake of the floods is evident, with entire communities left homeless and in despair.
The province’s disaster management department declared the situation as an “emergency,” highlighting the urgent need for assistance. Obaidullah Muradian stressed the gravity of the situation, citing the widespread inundation of districts, including the capital Chaghcharan.
Basic necessities such as shelter, food, and clean water are now in dire demand as affected residents struggle to cope with the aftermath.
Afghanistan’s vulnerability to such natural disasters is exacerbated by its limited resources and infrastructure, compounded by decades of conflict and poverty. Mohammad Assem Mayar, a water resource management expert, underscored the nation’s susceptibility to flooding, particularly in the face of increasing rainfall patterns.
The recent floods have compounded an already dire humanitarian situation, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the Afghan people.
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