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Heavy Rains and Floods Kill at Least 45 in Eastern Afghanistan

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – At least 45 people have been killed and over 350 injured in eastern provinces of Afghanistan due to heavy rains, flash floods, and severe storms, according to Taliban authorities.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 16, the Taliban Ministry of Public Health announced that the recent heavy rains and storms in eastern Nangarhar province have killed 40 people and injured 347 others.

Sharafat Zaman Amar, spokesperson for the ministry, said that the recent heavy rains and flooding have caused significant damage to agricultural lands and destroyed dozens of houses in the province.

According to a local source, among the dead were 11 members of the same family who were killed when the roof of their house collapsed in Surkh Rod district.

Earlier, Taliban local authorities in eastern Kunar province reported that at least five people, including two women and two children, were killed due to the rains and floods in the province.

Meanwhile, casualties and significant damage have also been reported in recent days from other provinces of Afghanistan, including Panjshir, Badakhshan, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, Kapisa, and Paktia.

Afghanistan has been grappling with incessant heavy rains and flooding in recent months, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of people in many provinces. It has also claimed the lives of thousands of livestock and caused significant financial losses for the already impoverished population.

According to the UN, the rains and floods in May and April alone have resulted in the deaths of over 500 people and injuries to nearly 2,000 others in Afghanistan. Approximately 80,000 people have been affected by the disaster, with over 10,000 homes destroyed or damaged, leading to the displacement of thousands of families.

The country is one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, avalanches, landslides, and drought. It is also among the poorest in the world, burdened by decades of conflict, and is particularly susceptible to extreme weather events associated with climate change.

These natural disasters highlight the population’s vulnerability following the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. The country is currently experiencing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by declining international aid commitments.

The UN reports that over 23.7 million people in Afghanistan—more than half of the population—urgently require lifesaving aid this year. Despite appealing for $3 billion in funding, the organization has received less than 23% of the requested amount.