Flash Floods Devastate Afghanistan: Hundreds Dead

Flash floods in western Afghanistan have killed at least 50 people, with many residents fleeing to higher ground just before the disaster struck. The floods, which hit Ghor province on Friday, destroyed around 2,000 homes and severely damaged businesses and infrastructure. Thousands of livestock perished, and large areas of farmland were ruined. Earlier in May, similar flooding in Baghlan province claimed over 300 lives. Survivors in Ghor recounted harrowing escapes, with entire neighborhoods washed away.

Local officials declared an emergency, stressing the urgent need for shelter, food, and clean water. Roads and bridges have been destroyed, complicating rescue efforts. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to flooding has worsened due to above-average rainfall this spring. The UN’s World Food Programme warned the floods have deepened the nation’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Experts stress that long-term recovery efforts are essential. UN officials are calling for sustained support to help survivors rebuild their lives.

Flash Floods Devastate Afghanistan: Hundreds Dead

Flash floods in western Afghanistan have claimed the lives of at least 50 people, according to provincial police on Saturday. Many residents managed to escape to higher ground just moments before the floodwaters arrived.

The flooding, which struck on Friday, destroyed around 2,000 homes and caused significant damage to thousands more, including businesses, Ghor police spokesman Abdul Rahman Badri reported.

This disaster follows an unusually wet spring, with heavy rainfall leading to previous flash floods in northern Baghlan province on May 10. In that event, hundreds of people were swept away, and survivors continued searching for missing family members for days.

Devastation in Ghor Province

“Fifty people in Ghor province lost their lives due to Friday’s floods, with several others still unaccounted for,” Badri stated. The floods also resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes and businesses, the loss of thousands of livestock, and severe damage to agricultural land, bridges, and trees.

Zahir Zahid, a resident of Firozkoh district, recalled how he and his family fled after hearing emergency warnings through mosque loudspeakers. “Just five minutes after we escaped, a powerful flood swept through, destroying my house before my eyes,” he told AFP by phone.

Sherzai, another resident, described the destruction. “We thought it would be like previous floods—manageable—but this one was incredibly strong. It took everything in our house; nothing remains.”

Obaidullah Muradian, head of Ghor’s disaster management department, called the situation an emergency. Several districts, including the provincial capital Chaghcharan, were affected, with streets buried in mud. Muradian emphasized the urgent need for shelter, food, and clean water.

Worsening Humanitarian Crisis

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) and Taliban officials previously reported that the floods earlier in May led to more than 300 deaths. Infrastructure damage, including destroyed roads and bridges, has hampered rescue operations, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to flooding, particularly following this year’s above-average rainfall, as highlighted in a recent report by water resource expert Mohammad Assem Mayar for the Afghanistan Analysts Network.

The WFP warned that these floods have exacerbated Afghanistan’s existing humanitarian crisis. Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, urged for long-term support beyond emergency aid to help survivors rebuild their lives.

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, urged for long-term support beyond emergency aid to help survivors rebuild their lives. He emphasized that immediate relief, while crucial, is not enough to address the widespread devastation caused by the floods. Many families have lost everything, including their homes, livelihoods, and access to clean water. Sustainable recovery efforts, including infrastructure rebuilding, agricultural restoration, and economic assistance, are essential. Bennett called on international organizations, governments, and humanitarian agencies to provide sustained support to ensure long-term stability and resilience for affected communities.

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