Flash floods hit Afghanistan

Photo: depositphotos

A prolonged drought in Afghanistan has been replaced by torrential rains and heavy snowfall in higher elevations, resulting in flash floods in several areas, killing 17 people and injuring 11 others.

Several roofs and houses have already collapsed in Herat province under the onslaught of water. Rescue work is mostly underway in Kabkan district and according to the Herat governor, two of the victims are children. Flooding and adverse weather conditions have also disrupted life in the central, northern, southern and western regions.

The floods have so far damaged infrastructure and killed many livestock. At least 1,800 families from vulnerable urban and rural communities are at immediate risk. The agency has deployed assessment teams to the most affected areas and surveys are underway to determine additional needs.

The floods also caused traffic restrictions and numerous accidents on the Herat-Kandahar highway. A truck overturned due to flash floods. Elsewhere, a bus was overturned by strong water currents.

Afghanistan, like neighboring Pakistan and India, is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events. Decades of conflict, deforestation, poor infrastructure and climate change have meant that the impact of natural disasters is particularly pronounced in remote areas. Many houses are built of mud and offer limited protection.

The United Nations and other aid agencies warned this week that Afghanistan is facing one of the world's biggest humanitarian crises this year. The UN and other aid agencies have launched a fundraising campaign to raise up to $1.7 billion to help Afghanistan's 18 million people.

Source: Aljazeera, Editorial Weathersunshine.com