Floods Claim 16 Lives in Baghlan and Badakhshan, Afghanistan

Recent floods in Baghlan and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan have resulted in the tragic loss of 16 lives, including women and children, as reported by TOLO News. Local officials confirm that the floods have also caused extensive damage, with 500 houses completely or partially destroyed.

Taliban-appointed authorities in Baghlan and Badakhshan provided grim details of the devastation. Baghlan Police Command chief Abdul Ghafoor Khadem stated, “Last night, a very strong flood occurred. The major casualties we have are in the Larkhab area of Doshi district in Baghlan province.” Khadem further reported the loss of six lives, including three children, one woman, and two men, with over 300 houses destroyed. Meanwhile, Mohammad Kamgar, head of Natural Disaster Management in Badakhshan, shared that ten members of one family lost their lives, with one person injured due to the floods.

Amidst the chaos and destruction, affected families are demanding immediate assistance from the Taliban-led government and aid agencies. Flood victims expressed anguish over the delayed arrival of aid, emphasizing the urgent need for support. Hizbullah, a flood victim, lamented the loss of nine family members, with two bodies recovered but others still missing. Ziaullah, another flood victim, pleaded for equitable allocation of aid to all affected regions.

The situation remains dire as more than 300 people have lost their lives in the devastating floods across Afghanistan over the past week. The floods have not only claimed lives but also destroyed hundreds of residential houses and vast stretches of agricultural land.

Responding to the crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced challenges in delivering aid to the affected areas, citing inaccessibility by vehicles. The organization resorted to alternative methods, including transferring emergency supplies via donkeys to reach flood survivors in Baghlan.

As the affected communities grapple with the aftermath of the floods, efforts to provide essential aid and support are underway. The WFP underscores the urgency of the situation, highlighting the need for concerted action to assist those who have lost everything in this calamity.