What Happened in Afghanistan: Three Lives Lost and Homes Destroyed Due to Flash Floods?

Kabul, July 24 (NationPress) Tragically, three individuals lost their lives and numerous residences and agricultural lands faced extensive destruction on Thursday as a result of flash floods in Afghanistan's Khost and Paktia provinces. According to local reports, these floods led to both human casualties and significant economic losses in various areas of Khost and Paktia, as reported by Afghan news source Khaama Press.

Local authorities indicated that the floods severely affected the Wazi area of Paktia and the districts of Nadershah Kot, Zazi Maidan, and Sabari in Khost. Several homes were completely destroyed, farmland was washed away, and walls collapsed, leaving many residents without proper shelter and agricultural means. The fatalities occurred in the Nadershah Kot district when individuals were attempting to gather firewood near the floodwaters, as reported by eyewitnesses.

In addition to the loss of life, communities relying heavily on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods have faced significant setbacks. These recent floods follow another wave of flooding in the same region just weeks prior, highlighting a concerning trend of recurrent natural disasters.

The impact of these floods reveals the vulnerability of rural communities in eastern Afghanistan, where insufficient infrastructure and a lack of disaster preparedness exacerbate the devastation caused by natural calamities. Immediate action is necessary, including enhanced flood management systems and support from both national and international organizations to assist in recovery and mitigate future flood risks.

Earlier in June, five people lost their lives and many homes along with infrastructure were significantly damaged across various provinces due to floods in Afghanistan. According to a spokesperson from the Taliban-controlled National Disaster Management Authority, reported on June 29, five individuals were killed and eight others injured due to flooding that affected ten provinces, including Kabul, Parwan, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Zabul, Nangarhar, and Laghman.

Spokesperson Mohammad Yousuf Hamad noted that one house was entirely destroyed while 162 homes suffered partial damage. Additionally, 171 wells, irrigation systems, 11 mosques, 27 water supply networks, dams, channels, 27 small bridges, and 41 kilometers of paved roads were impacted by the flooding. Almost 100 livestock were lost, and around 2,000 jeribs of farmland were devastated.