At least 31 people have lost their lives, and dozens are still missing after heavy flooding wreaked havoc in Afghanistan due to seasonal rains. Tragedy also struck neighboring Pakistan, where 13 people perished in heavy rains and landslides. The torrential downpours have brought further misery to already struggling communities in both countries. The disaster highlights the urgent need for aid and assistance to the affected families and regions.
Afghanistan’s Disaster
Spokesman for Afghanistan’s disaster ministry, Shafiullah Rahimi, reports 31 deaths, 74 injuries, and 41 missing persons after severe flooding hit Kabul, Maidan Wardak, and Ghazni provinces. The majority of casualties were in west Kabul and Maidan Wardak, where about 250 livestock also perished.
Ongoing Misery in Afghanistan
The floods compound the existing hardships faced by Afghanistan, including drought, economic difficulties, and the consequences of decades of conflict and natural calamities.
Pakistan’s Suffering
Pakistan also endures heavy losses, with 13 people dead and seven injured due to heavy rains and landslides. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province experiences nine fatalities within 48 hours, while Skardu in Gilgit Baltistan loses four lives to a massive landslide.
Since the onset of monsoon rains on June 25, Pakistan’s national disaster management authority reports a total of 101 fatalities, including 16 women and 42 children. Furthermore, in Afghanistan, natural disasters affect an average of 200,000 people each year, with a record of about 1,700 deaths caused by monsoon floods in 2022.
The devastating floods underscore the urgent need for aid and support to help the affected communities in Afghanistan and Pakistan recover from the disastrous consequences of the heavy rains and landslides.
