At least 33 people have died since Friday in floods and flash floods in Afghanistan, an official from the Department of Natural Disaster Management announced on Sunday. Around 20 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces are currently experiencing high levels of precipitation, including Kabul province.
“According to initial information, since Friday, flash floods have caused heavy human and financial losses
,” said spokesperson Janan Sayeq.
“Thirty-three people died and 27 were injured
. ”
Most of the deaths are attributable to falling roofs, he said.
The precipitation also led to the total or partial destruction of nearly 600 houses and destroyed 580 kilometers of roads. Nearly 800 hectares of agricultural land were submerged and 200 head of cattle killed, the spokesperson added.
Climatic upheavals
These floods are affecting almost all regions this spring, a traditional period of rain in Afghanistan.
Forecasts for the coming week indicate more rain in the country, particularly in the provinces of Kabul or Ghazni (center-east), Nangarhar (east) or Kandahar (south).
Some 60 people were killed after heavy rains in the last three weeks of March in the country. Afghanistan experienced a very dry winter and is very affected by climatic upheavals.
According to scientists, this country, ravaged by four decades of war and which is among the poorest in the world, is also one of the most poorly prepared to deal with the consequences of climate change.