Continued rainfalls of the last few weeks triggered flash floods that resulted in destroying dozens of residential houses and killing, wounded hundreds of people across Afghanistan. On the other hand, the recent floods also destroyed agricultural fields, orchards and agricultural products in the country.
Most districts of Kabul province have been affected by recent rainfalls and floods. According to reports, almost all agricultural products particularly grapes, plums and peaches have been destroyed, and the agricultural lands have also been completely destroyed.
Haji Mir Ahmad, a resident of Kabul’s Shakardara, says continued rainfalls of the last few weeks and floods have totally washed out their agricultural products particularly grapes. Most of the farmers have lost their agricultural products during the continued rains that triggered flash floods in most parts of the country.
Based on information of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 100,000 people have been affected by torrential rains and flash floods across Afghanistan this year, with flooding hitting 30 of the country’s 34 provinces.
Consistent with the UNOCHA’s report, in addition to the 250 people who were killed by the recent floods, over 100,000 Afghans have been harmed by flooding in various parts of the country.
As compared to the previous year, when the total number of flood-related fatalities was 147, there has been a significant increase of 75% in the flood death toll this year.
According to UNOCHA, 85,000 people have received some form of assistance, including food, tents, medical attention, water, sanitation, hygiene kits, and other essential items so far.
With almost 23 million Afghan people benefitting from at least one form of humanitarian aid delivered, the UN office’s Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan seeks to provide relief aid to at least 22.1 million people this year.
Meanwhile, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi last Thursday, appealed to the international community and humanitarian agencies to assist those in Afghanistan who have been impacted by recent natural catastrophes, claiming that the IEA cannot provide for the victims on its own.
The eastern, central, southern, and western regions of Afghanistan have all seen heavy rains that have resulted in flash floods and landslides that have killed and displaced people and destroyed homes.
A drought and an earthquake that killed more than 1,000 people in June are just two of the devastating natural disasters that Afghanistan has experienced this year in addition to the recent flash floods that have hit Kandahar, Logar, Khost Kunar, and Nangarhar the hardest.
Mohammad Daud
Recent floods badly affected agricultural fields in Afghanistan
