Tragic Floods Claim 28 Lives and Injure 49 in Afghanistan
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Key Takeaways
Kabul, March 30 (NationPress) In a devastating series of weather events, 28 individuals lost their lives and 49 others sustained injuries due to intense rainfall, flooding, and lightning strikes across multiple provinces in Afghanistan since February 26. This information was confirmed by Mohammad Yousuf Hamad, spokesperson for the Disaster Preparedness Authority, as reported by local media on Monday.
Hamad indicated that the provinces most affected include Kandahar, Helmand, Herat, Ghor, Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Jawzjan, Faryab, Badakhshan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Paktia, Paktika, Logar, Zabul, Balkh, Badghis, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Baghlan, Takhar, Laghman, and Nangarhar, according to Tolo News.
The catastrophic floods resulted in the destruction of 568 homes and 10 commercial establishments, with 93 kilometers of roadways severely impacted and approximately 244 livestock perishing. In total, 1,130 families have been affected by this extreme weather.
Hamad reported that the Disaster Preparedness Authority has dispatched aid, food supplies, and other forms of assistance to those in need. Authorities are urging residents to prioritize their safety and to avoid areas prone to flooding and near rivers.
Earlier in January, 11 lives were claimed and three individuals were injured due to heavy snowfall and rainfall in various regions of Afghanistan.
The disaster management authority spokesperson noted that initial evaluations from provincial officials revealed that severe weather conditions affected residents in Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jawzjan, Faryab, and central Bamiyan.
According to the spokesperson, nine houses suffered partial destruction, and 530 livestock were lost due to the storms, which significantly disrupted local livelihoods in these agricultural areas. Additionally, the accumulation of snow has blocked key roads.
In October of last year, the authority reported that 721 families were impacted by recent rainfall and flash floods in three provinces: Kabul, Laghman, and Kapisa. Spokesperson Hamad stated that numerous residential structures had been either completely or partially destroyed, over 1,000 acres of farmland had been washed away, and fruit farmers incurred severe losses as a result.