The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 30, 2025
Today: March 30, 2025

Afghanistan floods kill at least 153, Taliban interior ministry says

May 27, 2024

By Sayed Hassib and Mohammad Yunus Yawar

Aftermath of floods following heavy rain in the northern province of Baghlan

SHEIKH JALAL, Afghanistan (Reuters) -The official death toll from devastating flash floods in northern Afghanistan has risen to 153 people across three provinces, the Taliban's interior ministry said on Saturday, while the World Food Progamme said it was double that.

The WFP, which operates throughout Afghanistan, said on X that floods had killed more than 300 people. It did not give a source for its figure.

When asked about the WFP figure, a ministry spokesperson said its figure was still 153 - but the authorities have said the death toll could rise.

At least 138 people have also been injured in the flooding across northern Baghlan, Takhar and Badakhshan, caused by heavy rains on Friday, the ministry spokesman, Abdul Mateen Qaniee, said.

In Karkar village in Baghlan province, residents held funerals for people who had been killed by the floods.

"I lost five members of my family - two sons, two daughters, and their mother in a result of this devastating flash flood," said Gulbudeen, a mourner who provided only one name.

"We were standing on the other side of the flood, but we could not help them, and eventually the flood took the lives of our loved ones."

Taliban authorities sent helicopters to try to assist civilians overnight after receiving reports that over 100 people were stranded.

Many people had been left homeless and transportation, water and waste systems were "severely disrupted", the World Health Organisation said.

"The impact has been profound, leading to loss of life and injuries, with many individuals still unaccounted for," the WHO's Afghanistan office said in a statement late on Friday.

It added that four health centres had been damaged and one destroyed by the floods and said the agency was sending health teams to provide treatment in the inundated areas.

(Reporting by Sayed Hassib in Sheikh Jalal, Baghlan; Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul and Charlotte Greenfield in IslamabadEditing by William Mallard, Frances Kerry and Alison Williams)

Share This

Popular

Asia|Health|Political|World

Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600 and leaves countless buried

Smell of death permeates Myanmar cities after quake kills over 1,600 and leaves countless buried
Asia|Health|Political|World

Medical supplies in great need as international assistance flows into Myanmar after earthquake

Medical supplies in great need as international assistance flows into Myanmar after earthquake
Asia|Business|Economy

India court rejects JSW Steel, Trafigura request to clear certain met coke imports

India court rejects JSW Steel, Trafigura request to clear certain met coke imports
Asia|Economy|Health|Political|World

Aid rushes into Myanmar after earthquake kills over 1,600, ravages cities

Aid rushes into Myanmar after earthquake kills over 1,600, ravages cities

Asia

Asia|Political|US|World

Pentagon's Hegseth says US command in 'warrior' Japan being upgraded to deter China

Pentagon's Hegseth says US command in 'warrior' Japan being upgraded to deter China
Asia|World

Myanmar quake death toll rises to 1,644 as resistance movement announces partial ceasefire

Myanmar quake death toll rises to 1,644 as resistance movement announces partial ceasefire
Asia|Health|Political|World

Voices are starting to emerge from quake-devastated Myanmar. Hereโ€™s what we are hearing

Voices are starting to emerge from quake-devastated Myanmar. Hereโ€™s what we are hearing
Asia|Business|Economy

Brazil meatpacker JBS to spend $100 million to build 2 factories in Vietnam

Brazil meatpacker JBS to spend $100 million to build 2 factories in Vietnam

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In