The United Nations today said that in Afghanistan, the death toll due to floods caused by heavy seasonal rains has crossed 200 in a single province. Over 62 people died in the northern province of Baghlan yesterday alone. UN’s International Organisation for Migration said, thousands of houses were destroyed or damaged in Baghlan after heavy rains sparked massive flooding and residents were unprepared for the sudden rush of water. A disaster management official in the northern province said, the toll is likely to increase as light rain continues into the night in multiple districts of the province. Emergency personnel were searching for any possible victims under the mud and rubble, with the help of security forces from the national army and police. Rains also caused heavy damage in northeastern Badakhshan province and central Ghor province.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on social media platform said authorities would provide support to those impacted by the flooding across the country. He added that casualties were feared in Tishkan district, where flooding had blocked a road and cut off access to an area where some 20,000 people lived. According to authorities, since mid-April, flash flooding and other floods left about 100 people dead in ten provinces of Afghanistan, with no region entirely spared.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).