Flash floods kill 17 and destroy 1 800 homes across Afghanistan

Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall and snowmelt struck multiple regions of Afghanistan between January 1 and 2, killing at least 17 people and injuring 11.

The floods followed several weeks of dry weather, during which frozen precipitation accumulated in mountainous areas and later melted rapidly under sudden warming and intense rain, triggering the flash floods.

Most of the casualties have occurred since Monday in districts hit by flooding, and the severe weather also disrupted daily life across central, northern, southern, and western regions, according to Mohammad Yousaf Hammad, a spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA).

Hammad said the floods damaged infrastructure, killed livestock, and affected 1 800 families, worsening conditions in already vulnerable urban and rural communities, reported Al Jazeera.

The Herat Province was the worst hit, with five members of one family, including two children, killed after their home collapsed due to flooding in the Kabkan district.

Meanwhile, three people were killed when a flash flood swept a passenger bus away in Shindand district. More casualties were confirmed in Faryab, Badghis, and central regions.

Eighteen items were distributed to each of the families of the 17 people who lost their lives, said ANDMA. These included eight sacks of flour, 25 kg (55 lbs) of lentils, blankets, a kitchen kit, an emergency shelter kit, solar kits, winter clothing, plastic mats, mattresses, tarpaulins, one pack of soap, and baby food. Families of six victims also received one tent each after their homes were destroyed, Mustaqim added.

ANDMA response teams were deployed to assess the damage and assist displaced families. Humanitarian agencies have provided emergency relief materials to several affected areas.

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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