Severe Flooding Causes Extensive Damage in Afghanistan

Severe seasonal flooding in Afghanistan has resulted in widespread destruction over the past two weeks, as reported by Tolo News. The heavy rains and subsequent floods, affecting the country from March 26 to April 6, have impacted numerous provinces, submerging hundreds of villages and affecting more than 73,000 people.
The disaster has led to the damage of over 9,000 homes and the destruction of more than 15,500 acres of agricultural land, raising concerns about food security in the affected areas. The loss of over 500 livestock animals has exacerbated the situation for rural families reliant on farming and animal husbandry, according to Xinhua news agency.
In a separate incident on April 7, heavy rainfall and flash floods caused a wall to collapse in Afghanistan’s Khost province, resulting in the death of three women and injuries to two children. The collapse occurred in Gingini village in Maton area, with the injured children receiving treatment at a nearby health facility, as reported by Pajhwok Afghan News.
Furthermore, heavy rains in Nangarhar province on April 7 led to the deaths of at least 10 individuals and injuries to six others due to roof collapses. The regions most affected include Jalalabad, Sherzad, Khogyani, Haska Mina, and Angoor Bagh neighborhoods, according to Ariana News.
Authorities have reported that heavy rains, floods, landslides, lightning strikes, and house collapses in Afghanistan over the past 12 days have resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people and injuries to 160 others. With seven individuals still missing, concerns are rising as predictions of further rainfall could increase the toll, as per Khaama Press.
The calamity has left 958 houses completely destroyed and another 4,155 homes partially damaged, leaving thousands of families in urgent need of shelter and assistance. Additionally, more than 325 kilometers of roads have been damaged, along with losses to businesses, farmland, irrigation canals, and drinking water wells.