UN reports over 300 deaths in northern Afghanistan due to flash floods following heavy rains

Flash floods triggered by heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan have resulted in a devastating loss of life and property, with more than 300 people dead and over 1,000 houses destroyed, according to the U.N. food agency.

The floods primarily hit the northern province of Baghlan, where the World Food Program is providing fortified biscuits to survivors. In neighboring Takhar province, at least 20 people lost their lives due to the deluges.

Videos circulating on social media show distraught individuals searching for their loved ones behind a hospital in Baghlan, while officials prepare bodies for burial. The Taliban government’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed the widespread impact of the floods, with provinces like Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat bearing the brunt of the devastation.

The International Rescue Committee’s Afghanistan director, Salma Ben Aissa, emphasized the urgent need for international support in the wake of this disaster, which comes on the heels of previous natural calamities in the country.

The IRC reported significant damage to infrastructure in several provinces and is gearing up to expand its emergency response efforts. Meanwhile, the Taliban Defense Ministry has initiated evacuation operations in Baghlan, rescuing stranded individuals and providing medical assistance.

As the country grapples with the aftermath of these floods, U.N. special rapporteur Richard Bennett stressed the importance of immediate aid and long-term planning to address Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. The recent floods serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action to mitigate the impact of such crises in the future.