Afghanistan continues to grapple with relentless heavy rains and severe flooding, with the Taliban’s Ministry of Disaster Management confirming a rising death toll of 29 and at least seven injuries since Wednesday. The devastation extends to the destruction of 72 homes, according to ministry spokesperson Mullah Janan Saiq.
In Helmand Province, the situation is especially dire. Resident Ahmad Shah reports widespread loss of homes and livelihoods. “Hundreds of homes have been destroyed…between fifteen and thirty people have lost their lives in different locations. All our crops have been damaged,” he said.
A tragic incident in Kajaki district claimed the lives of seven family members in a house collapse, and two more fatalities have been reported in Gereshk district due to a roof collapse.
The crisis is far-reaching, with residents in Kandahar and Kunar provinces reporting significant losses of crops, homes, and infrastructure. Hizbullah, a resident of Shigal district in Kunar, made a desperate plea: “All our house walls have collapsed… I am responsible for my family, which includes mostly orphaned children. Immediate help would be greatly beneficial.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that nearly 1,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed between April 10th and 16th across nine provinces.
Adding to the impending crisis, the Meteorological Department warns of further storms and the risk of rising river waters, potentially worsening the situation across the country.