According to reports from the Taliban governor’s office in Maidan Wardak province, Afghanistan, a devastating flood occurred on Sunday, 31st Saratan, a month in the Persian calendar. The catastrophic event has resulted in the tragic loss of 22 lives, leaving 40 people missing.
Kabul 24: The flood severely impacted several districts within the province, including Jalrez, Chak, Sayedabad, Nirkh, and Jaghatu. The calamity inflicted heavy casualties and significant damage to infrastructure and property in these areas.
Impact on Residences and Agriculture
As per the governor’s office, the flood has led to the destruction of hundreds of residential homes and vast expanses of agricultural land. Estimates suggest that thousands of Jeribs, a traditional unit of land measurement in Iran and Afghanistan approximately equal to 0.2 hectares, have been annihilated.
Transportation Challenges Amid the Disaster
Transportation in the region has also been heavily impacted. The governor’s office has confirmed that the Kabul-Bamyan highway and some local roads in the Maidan Wardak districts have been blocked due to the flood. This has further exacerbated the challenges faced by the affected communities, hindering rescue and relief operations.
Arghandi District Floods: Another Situation of Concern
In addition to the disaster in Maidan Wardak, the Arghandi district of Kabul also experienced heavy rainfall last night. This led to further flooding and subsequent damages, highlighting the vulnerability of the region to extreme weather conditions and natural calamities.
A Call for More Robust Disaster Management
The total figures for casualties and damages caused by the rainfall and flood in both regions have not yet been published.
However, these disasters underscore the urgent need for more robust disaster management systems in the region.
Developing and implementing effective strategies for disaster risk reduction and response could significantly minimize the impact of such calamities in the future.
As the people of Afghanistan grapple with the aftermath of these devastating floods, the need for immediate relief and long-term recovery plans becomes increasingly apparent.
The current situation calls for the concerted efforts of local, national, and international entities to support the affected communities and help them rebuild their lives.
