Flash floods kill 330 in Afghanistan

KILLER FLOOD  A man washes his hands at a flood-affected village in the Baghlan-e-Markazi District of Baghlan Province, Afghanistan, May 11, 2024. At least 50 people were killed as storms and flash floods lashed north Afghanistan's Baghlan province on Friday, a local official said. Xinhua

  At least 330 people were killed after flash floods hit several parts of Afghanistan on Friday.

  The floods hit at least two provinces in the north and northeastern parts of the country, causing heavy damage, local media reported.

  Hedayatullah Hamdard, head of the Natural Disaster Department in northern Baghlan province, told Kabul-based Tolo News: “Floods in the districts of Burka, Nahreen, and Central Baghlan have claimed the lives of 50 people so far.

  ”Mohammad Akram Akbari, head of the Natural Disaster Department in northeastern Badakhshan province, said the floods hit districts of Tashkan, Yawan and Tagab which “caused significant financial damage to the people of the province.”

  Akbari added: “The communication route from Tashkan district to the center of Badakhshan has also been blocked due to the floods.”

  The natural mishap hit Gozargah-e-Noor, Jelgah, Nahrin, Baghlan-e-Markazi and Barka districts, as well as the provincial capital of Pul-e-Khumri, Hedayatullah Hamdard, provincial director for the disaster management authority, said.

  Storms and floods also hit most parts of other northern provinces, including Takhar, Badakhshan and Samangan, leading to casualties and damage to properties.

  Afghanistan has been receiving heavy rain and floods in the past month. More than 80 deaths had been reported earlier across the country. Anadolu  and Xinhua