Kabul: At least 17 people died, and 26 others were injured after severe flooding, landslides, and thunderstorms struck parts of Afghanistan. Authorities warned early this week that the death toll could rise as survey teams from the National Disaster Management Authority continue surveying the affected regions.
A total of 13 out of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, mainly in the western, central, and northwestern areas, have been impacted by the extreme weather.
According to a spokesperson, the disaster has also caused widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Around 147 homes were either completely or partially destroyed, and nearly 80 kilometres of roads were washed away.
The disaster management authority warned residents to avoid river banks and areas at risk of flooding in those regions, and ordered local officials to be on standby to assist, the AP news agency reported.
Earlier this year, similar extreme weather, including heavy snowfall and flash floods, left dozens of people dead across the country.
