Over 300 Lives Lost in Afghanistan due to Devastating Flash Floods

Photo : AP

The Taliban's Defense Ministry issued a statement on Saturday confirming that Afghanistan's air force has initiated evacuation efforts in Baghlan, following flash floods triggered by abnormally heavy seasonal rains. The United Nations' food agency reported that these floods have resulted in a tragic loss of over 300 lives and the destruction of more than 1,000 homes.

The World Food Program has responded by distributing fortified biscuits to survivors in the affected regions, particularly in Baghlan province, which faced the brunt of the flooding on Friday. Across the border in Takhar province, state media outlets documented at least 20 fatalities.

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Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesperson, took to social media to express condolences, acknowledging the hundreds of lives lost and the injuries sustained due to the calamitous floods. He singled out Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor, and Herat as the hardest-hit provinces, emphasizing the extensive financial losses incurred.

In response to the crisis, the Taliban government has mobilized all available resources for rescue operations, medical transport, and recovery efforts. The Defense Ministry affirmed the commencement of evacuations in Baghlan and the successful rescue of numerous individuals stranded in flooded areas. Additionally, the ministry reported that 100 injured persons have been transported to military hospitals for treatment.

Richard Bennett, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, underscored the urgent need for both immediate relief and long-term climate resilience planning. He emphasized the vulnerability of Afghanistan to climate-related disasters and called for coordinated efforts by the Taliban and international stakeholders.

Social media footage depicted scenes of anguish and desperation as families searched for loved ones in Baghlan, with officials urging them to prepare for burials amid ongoing recovery efforts. Previous reports indicated that April's heavy rains and flash floods claimed the lives of 70 people and inflicted significant damage to homes, mosques, and schools across the country.

May 11, 2024 5:53 p.m. 6608

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