Floods Wreak Havoc Across Central Afghanistan’s Ghor Province

The latest bout of heavy rain and flooding has left a trail of devastation in central Afghanistan’s Ghor province, claiming at least 60 lives and leaving dozens more missing, according to Abdul Wahid Hamas, spokesperson for the provincial governor. The province has suffered significant financial losses, with thousands of homes and properties damaged, hundreds of hectares of agricultural land destroyed, and tens of thousands of animals perished. The hard-hit province’s capital city, Feroz Koh, was among the areas worst affected by the floods.

Meanwhile, the western province reported at least 50 fatalities, while 18 people were killed and two injured in the northern province of Farayab. The known number of fatalities now stands at 68. The toll could rise significantly, as rescue and aid workers struggle to reach some of the worst-affected areas. The World Health Organization echoed warnings from the Taliban government and NGOs that the death toll could escalate further.

Throughout the week, survivors have been searching for the missing after torrents of water ripped through their villages. The region’s inhabitants, already reeling from the loss of their homes and livelihoods, are now facing a severe shortage of food. The World Food Organization stated that most of Baghlan is “inaccessible by trucks” and is resorting to alternative means to deliver aid to the survivors.

Afghanistan is acutely vulnerable to natural disasters, and the UN considers it one of the countries most susceptible to climate breakdown. The country has been battling a shortfall in aid since foreign forces withdrew from the country in 2021, resulting in a significant decline in development aid. The Taliban’s takeover of the government has also led to a reduction in international funds.

In a country where the health system is already struggling, some health facilities were rendered non-operational by the flooding, which damaged or destroyed thousands of homes and swamped agricultural land. The World Health Organization has warned of a surge in waterborne diseases in flood-affected regions.