HERAT: Central Afghanistan has experienced a tragic event as heavy rains triggered devastating floods, resulting in the loss of six lives and the destruction of numerous homes, according to a local official on Wednesday.
The area in central Ghor province, where the floodwaters hit on Tuesday, witnessed an unprecedented flood not seen in at least a decade, stated Abdul Wahid Hamas, a spokesman for the Taliban governor.
Among the casualties were three women and a child who were killed when their home was washed away in the provincial capital of Firozkoh, located 280 kilometers (170 miles) east of Herat.
The disaster has caused immense losses for the affected residents. Bahauddin, a relative of the four fatalities, described the situation as devastating. In Pasaband district of the same province, a man and a woman were also swept away and tragically found dead. One person remains missing following the flood.
Floods Cause Huge Destruction
The catastrophic event resulted in the destruction of more than 100 houses and approximately 200 hectares (500 acres) of agricultural land, including damage to irrigation canals essential for the fields. The heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding were attributed to water cascading down the mountains.
Ghor province has been facing an extended period of drought in recent years, further worsening the existing humanitarian crisis since the collapse of the US-backed government in 2021. The return of the Taliban to power has led to a decline in foreign aid, leaving the region in a dire situation.
The Taliban government has imposed restrictions on NGOs and the United Nations regarding the employment of Afghan women in vital aid work, while securing financial support for the country has been a challenge for the international community.
The situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with nine out of ten Afghan families struggling to afford sufficient food, as reported by the World Food Programme in March.
