Over 200 Lives Lost to Flash Floods in Afghanistan Amid Rising Humanitarian Crisis
Recent devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan have claimed the lives of over 200 individuals, as reported by the UN agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to CNN on Saturday. The situation highlights a growing humanitarian emergency in the region.
Flash flooding in northern Afghanistan has caused devastation, resulting in the loss of over 200 lives, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The affected provinces include Badakhshan, Ghor, Baghlan, and Herat, where heavy flooding has also destroyed almost 2,000 homes as reported by the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority.
The IOM is currently providing emergency aid on the ground and they anticipate that the death toll will increase.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is getting ready for their emergency response to the flooding in seven provinces. They have estimated the death toll to be even higher, with over 250 lives lost and "thousands" of individuals stranded without access to services, as stated in their announcement on Saturday.
"These recent floods in Afghanistan have led to a significant humanitarian crisis," stated Salma Ben Aissa, the Afghanistan Director of IRC. She mentioned that the country had already been dealing with a series of earthquakes earlier in the year and severe flooding in March.
According to Ben Aissa, the impact of the floods has been devastating, with communities losing entire families and livelihoods being destroyed.
An Afghan man walks near his damaged home after heavy flooding in Baghlan province Saturday.
An Afghan man walks near his damaged home after heavy flooding in Baghlan province Saturday.
On Saturday, mourners in the province of Baghlan were captured on video by news agency Reuters as they buried the dead. Among them was Gulbudeen, who shared the heartbreaking story of losing multiple family members in the floods.
He shared the heartbreaking story of losing five family members in the devastating flash floods - two sons, two daughters, and their mother. Despite being on the other side of the flood, they were unable to help them, and tragically, the flood took the lives of their loved ones.
In the village of Laqayi, located in the Baghlan province, residents were seen in a video filmed by news agency AFP trying to clean up the rivers of mud outside their homes on Saturday. The footage showed villagers wading through deep pools of mud that had caused extensive damage to their dwellings.
Afghan men shovel mud from a house following flash floods.
Afghan men shovel mud from a house following flash floods.
Atif Aryan/AFP/Getty Images
The ruling Taliban acknowledged the “grievous toll” caused by the flooding in a statement posted Saturday on X by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
Mujahid expressed sadness over the tragic impact of the floods, with many people losing their lives and others being injured. The floods have also caused widespread damage to homes, leading to significant financial losses.
The Taliban has instructed its interior ministry, the ministry of disaster management, and local authorities to make use of all resources to help those who are stranded, recover bodies of the deceased, and provide medical assistance to the injured.
A drone view shows the flooded neighborhood of Mathias Velho in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil May 9, 2024.
A drone view shows the flooded neighborhood of Mathias Velho in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil May 9, 2024.
Diego Vara/Reuters
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The flash floods add to a string of recent natural disasters that the region has had to endure.
In April, authorities reported that over 100 people were killed by unseasonal rainfall and floods in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Additionally, more than 600 animals lost their lives in the disaster.
Just a few months later, in July, flash floods in Afghanistan claimed the lives of dozens of people. This tragedy occurred shortly before a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the western region of the country, resulting in thousands of deaths.
Editor's P/S:
The devastation caused by flash flooding in northern Afghanistan is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters. The loss of over 200 lives, the destruction of homes, and the displacement of countless individuals highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) are providing emergency aid on the ground, but the scale of the crisis requires a concerted global response.
The impact of the floods has been particularly devastating for communities that were already struggling with the effects of earthquakes and severe flooding earlier in the year. The loss of entire families and livelihoods has left many Afghans in a state of despair. It is essential that the international community provide ongoing support to help these communities rebuild their lives and recover from the trauma they have experienced.
