Heavy rainstorms and flash floods have wreaked havoc in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, resulting in at least 40 deaths and injuring over 347 people, according to reports from the Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday.
Health workers have been dispatched to the affected areas to provide urgent medical care to the injured, said Sharafat Zaman Amarkhil, spokesperson for the ministry. With rescue operations ongoing, officials fear that the number of casualties may rise further.
Local communities have been overwhelmed by the sudden deluge, which has destroyed homes, inundated farmlands, and disrupted vital infrastructure. Relief efforts are being coordinated to assist those displaced by the floods, as authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage.
Afghanistan is prone to seasonal flash floods, which often have devastating impacts on rural areas. The recent downpours have exacerbated the vulnerability of communities already struggling with economic challenges and limited access to healthcare.
Emergency response teams are focusing on search and rescue operations, while aid organizations are mobilizing to deliver essential supplies. The government has urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious and follow safety directives as weather conditions remain unpredictable.
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Death toll rises to 40 from rainstorms, flash floods in E. Afghanistan
cgtn.com
