In Afghanistan, unseasonably heavy rains have killed at least 68 people.
Flash floods caused by heavy seasonal rains have killed at least 68 people in Afghanistan, Taliban officials said Saturday, adding that the toll was based on preliminary reports.
In the hard-hit western province of Ghor, 50 people were reported killed, said Abdul Wahid Hamas, the provincial governor’s spokesman. He also said the province suffered significant financial losses after thousands of homes and properties were damaged and hundreds of hectares of agricultural land were destroyed following Friday’s floods, including in the capital Feroz Koh.
Elsewhere, 18 people were killed and two others injured on Friday in the northern province of Farayab, according to Esmatullah Moradi, spokesperson for the provincial governor. Damage to property and property was reported in four districts and more than 300 animals were killed, he added.
The United Nations food agency indicated that the province of Ghor was the most affected by the floods, where 2,500 families were impacted. World Food Program (WFP) assessment teams are on the ground deploying assistance.
The Taliban government’s chief spokesperson lamented “the loss of our fellow Afghans” and urged “responsible authorities… to provide all necessary support to alleviate the suffering.” He also called for help from “our caring donors” to help affected communities.
Last week, the WFP said unusually heavy rains in Afghanistan had already killed more than 300 people and destroyed thousands of homes, mainly in the northern province of Baghlan, which was worst hit by the May 10 floods.
Survivors are left homeless, landless and without means of livelihood, the World Food Organization said. Most of Baghlan is “inaccessible to trucks”, the WFP said, adding that it was using all possible alternatives to deliver food to survivors.
Last April too, the country was not spared. At least 70 people have died after flooding in western Farah and Herat, as well as southern Zabul and Kandahar provinces.
