Devastating Flash Floods Claim Over 300 Lives in Northern Afghanistan, U.N. Reports

 More than 300 people have lost their lives with over a thousand homes destroyed due to severe flash floods triggered by unusually heavy seasonal rains in northern Afghanistan, according to the United Nations. The World Food Program (WFP) is actively distributing emergency aid to the survivors, particularly in the hard-hit province of Baghlan.

The floods, which occurred last Friday, have primarily affected the northern regions, with neighboring Takhar province also reporting significant casualties and damage. Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Taliban government, announced on social media that the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor, and Herat are the worst affected, with substantial financial losses and numerous injuries.

In response to the crisis, the Taliban government has directed the mobilization of all available resources to aid in rescue operations. The country’s air force has been deployed in Baghlan, rescuing many stranded individuals and transporting injured victims to military hospitals in the region.

Richard Bennett, U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, highlighted the floods as a severe indication of Afghanistan’s susceptibility to climate-related disasters. He stressed the need for both immediate international aid and strategic long-term planning to address the ongoing climate crisis in the region.

Social media videos from Saturday showed poignant scenes of grief as dozens of people gathered behind a hospital in Baghlan, searching for missing family members. An official was reported advising the crowd to prepare for burials as medical staff were overwhelmed with the casualties.

This series of floods is not isolated, as officials reported that earlier in April, heavy rains and flash flooding had already claimed 70 lives and caused extensive damage to infrastructure, including homes, mosques, and schools in Afghanistan. The repeated natural disasters call for an urgent review of preparedness and response strategies to mitigate future risks and ensure the safety and well-being of the Afghan population.