Heavy rainfall, floods kill at least 31, ten missing in south

KABUL (Afghanistan Time): At least 31 people have died, ten have been missing and over 10 others injured while thousands displaced by torrential rains and floods in two southern provinces of Afghanistan.

Heavy rains stuck Kandahar and Helmand provinces where over 30 were killed and many other received injures, provincial officials and international humanitarian agency said Saturday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in a statement sent to Afghanistan Times said that heavy rains struck Kandahar city, Zheri, Dand, Damand, Arghandab, Spinboldak, and Takhtapu Districts. “In the last 30 hours, 97mm of rain fell in the affected areas. Flash floods triggered by the heavy rain have reportedly killed 20 people, including a number of children, when their homes collapsed or the vehicles they were traveling in were swept away,” the statement added.

At least 10 people, including children, are still missing in Arghandab, Daman, Spin Boldak and Dand Districts. “It is anticipated that up to 2,000 homes may have been damaged across all affected districts including Kandahar City.”

Severe damage to infrastructure has been reported, including to homes. In Kandahar city alone, an estimated 600 houses have been damaged or destroyed, the statement said, adding: “Flood-affected families have been evacuated to secure areas in the districts and Kandahar city including schools, mosques, Government buildings and the Haji camp. Government offices in PD 6 have been affected with buildings and documentation damaged or lost.”

“The Shifa area in Dand is on high alert as water levels continue to rise. In Arghandab there are reports that a large number of Kochi (nomadic) families – approximately 500 individuals – are stranded on the river bank. There is an urgent need for air support to rescue those who are trapped and to bring in immediate relief items.”

Moreover, heavy rainfall and storms strike Lashkargah, the capital city of southern Helmand province, in which at least six people have been killed and four other received injures, Provincial Governor Spokesman Omar Zwak said.

Unfortunately, in another incident in the same city of Lashkarah, at least five people, including three children died when roof of their house collapsed due to rains. According to provincial official, five more were received injuries.

Moreover, the Ministry of Defense said that the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces have been providing timely support and help to the affected families. The ANDSF doing level best to rescue more people through air and land supports.