Flash floods triggered by heavy seasonal rains have wreaked havoc in northern Afghanistan, killing over 300 people and leaving thousands homeless. Survivors, like farmer Abdul Ghani, are desperately searching for missing loved ones and struggling to rebuild their shattered lives.
In the wake of the catastrophic floods that ravaged northern Afghanistan last week, survivors like farmer Abdul Ghani are grappling with unimaginable loss and devastation. When Ghani heard the news that his village had been hit by the deluge, he rushed home from a neighboring province, only to discover the heartbreaking truth: his wife and three children had perished in the raging waters.
Amidst the wreckage and sorrow, Ghani and countless others in Baghlan province are still desperately searching for their missing loved ones and burying their dead. "Roads, villages, and lands were all washed away," Ghani lamented, describing the harrowing journey back to his village. His 11-year-old son remains missing, adding to the agony of his loss.
The floods, triggered by unusually heavy seasonal rains, have left a trail of destruction across Afghanistan. According to the United Nations food agency, over 300 people have lost their lives, and thousands of homes have been destroyed, with Baghlan province bearing the brunt of the impact.
Survivors are left with nothing but shattered lives. They have lost their homes, their land, and their livelihoods. The World Food Organization (WFP) has declared that most of Baghlan is inaccessible by trucks, making it extremely challenging to deliver aid to the affected communities.
In response to the crisis, the United Nations and aid agencies are working closely with the Taliban-run government to provide emergency assistance. The World Food Organization is exploring alternative means of delivering food to survivors, while the World Health Organization has dispatched 7 tons of medicines and emergency kits to the stricken areas.
UNICEF has reported that 51 children are among the dead. International aid groups are sending relief teams, medicines, blankets, and other supplies to support the affected families. The United Nations migration agency is distributing aid packages that include temporary shelters, essential non-food items, solar modules, clothing, and tools for repairing damaged shelters.
The latest disaster comes on the heels of a previous one in April, when heavy rains and flash floods claimed the lives of at least 70 people in western Farah and Herat, and southern Zabul and Kandahar provinces. The waters also destroyed about 2,000 homes, three mosques, and four schools.
As Afghanistan grapples with the aftermath of these devastating floods, the international community and aid agencies are providing critical support to the survivors. However, the long-term recovery and rebuilding process will be arduous and require sustained efforts to ensure that the affected communities can rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
