The National Disaster Preparedness Authority has reported that due to recent rainfall and flooding in the country, 28 citizens have been killed and 49 others injured.
The spokesperson of the authority says that since last Thursday, in 24 provinces, rainfall, floods, landslides, and lightning strikes have caused financial and human losses to many families.
Mohammad Yousuf Hamad adds:
“Since the 6th of the month of Hamal, in Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Bamyan, Daikundi, Paktia, Paktika, Logar, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Herat, Ghor, Balkh, Badghis, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Baghlan, Takhar, Jawzjan, Faryab, Badakhshan, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, due to rainfall, floods, landslides, and lightning strikes, 28 people have been killed and 49 injured.”
According to him, due to the recent floods and rains, 568 houses, 93 kilometers of road, 2,900 jeribs of agricultural land, 10 shops, and 52 water wells have been destroyed, and some livestock have also perished.
Hamad adds that, under the direction of the National Disaster Preparedness Authority, emergency assistance will be delivered to affected citizens.
Mohammad Yousuf Hamad says:
“Also, 130 residential houses have been completely destroyed, 438 partially damaged, and 10 shops have also been somewhat destroyed. In addition, 24 water wells, 93 kilometers of roads, 30 water networks, 2,901 jeribs of agricultural land, 1,938 trees have been uprooted, and 244 livestock have perished. In total, 1,130 families have been affected by these incidents.”
The Ministry of Water and Energy says that due to recent rainfall, several dams in different parts of the country have been filled.
According to the ministry, the Pashdan Dam in Herat, the Sultan Dam in Ghazni, and the Shah wa Arous and Qargha dams in Kabul have been filled.
The ministry adds that the rising water levels of dams, on one hand, show improvement in the country’s water management situation, and on the other hand contribute to strengthening the agricultural sector.
Water and environmental affairs expert Najibullah Sadid says:
“Much work needs to be done regarding water management. Dams, check dams, and canals must be built, and facilities should be constructed to protect people and residential areas from floods. This can reduce the vulnerability of communities to rainfall. I think water management at the village level can also protect people from flood damage. If water is properly managed, on one hand we will have water for irrigation, and on the other hand groundwater reserves will also be replenished.”
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has also said that rainfall is forecast in Afghanistan for a fourth consecutive week.
The organization adds that recent rains have increased soil moisture in many areas, which is beneficial for rain-fed farming, because it has a positive effect on the growth and increase of agricultural yields.
Despite all this, the Meteorological Department of the Ministry of Transport and Aviation has predicted rainfall and floods in many provinces on Monday and Tuesday.
Similarly, international meteorological organizations also indicate that rainfall will continue in many parts of the country during this week and the coming week.
