At least 50 people have been killed following severe flooding caused by heavy rains in central Afghanistan, officials reported on Saturday.
The torrential downpours triggered flash floods that swept through several villages, destroying homes, farmland, and vital infrastructure. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to reach affected areas, but damaged roads and bridges are hampering relief efforts.
“The sudden floods have caused significant loss of life and property,” said an official from the Disaster Management Authority, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. “We are mobilizing all available resources to assist those affected.”
Local communities are reeling from the disaster, with many residents left homeless and in urgent need of food, clean water, and medical assistance. Aid organizations are appealing for international support to address the immediate needs of survivors and to help rebuild the devastated regions.
Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain and deforestation have often contributed to severe flooding during the rainy season. Experts are calling for improved infrastructure and early warning systems to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters in the future.
The government has urged residents in high-risk areas to evacuate to safer locations as weather forecasts predict continued rainfall in the coming days. Emergency shelters have been set up to accommodate displaced families, but resources are stretched thin.
The international community has expressed condolences and is assessing ways to provide assistance. Neighboring countries have also offered support in rescue and relief operations.
The tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Afghanistan in disaster preparedness and response, exacerbated by decades of conflict and economic hardship.
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Fifty dead in heavy rain, floods in central Afghanistan, official says
cgtn.com
