Severe floods have caused significant devastation in Ghor province, Afghanistan, claiming at least 50 lives and leaving many more missing. The floods on Friday have led to extensive damage to homes, shops, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure.
According to Abdulwahid Hamas, the Taliban governor’s spokesperson in Ghor, the floods have had a catastrophic impact on the province. Speaking to Afghan Insight, Hamas detailed the extent of the destruction: “Approximately 50 people, including women and children, have died, and many are missing. Two thousand homes have been completely destroyed, and four thousand partially damaged. Additionally, 2,500 shops, hundreds of hectares of farmland, dozens of fruit-bearing and non-fruit-bearing trees, hundreds of bridges, culverts, and dams have been destroyed, and a thousand livestock have perished.”
The floods have also disrupted major transportation routes, including the Ghor-Herat highway, cutting off access to several districts. This has further compounded the difficulties residents face, many of whom are now isolated and desperately need assistance.
We Lost Everything”: Ghor Residents Recount Flood Devastation
Local residents have reported severe personal and financial losses. Abdul Qasim Firdousi, a resident of Firozkoh, the capital of Ghor province, described the dire situation: “The situation is so bad that people have lost all their investments in a matter of minutes. People are terrified, and those affected are worried about the possibility of more floods. There might not be a single bag of flour left in Ghor. People need shelter and food.”
Safdar Ali, a resident of the Talhkak area in Lal wa Sarjangal district, shared his experience with the destruction of agricultural land: “Yesterday, a flood came at four o’clock, followed by another at six o’clock, destroying all our agricultural land. Thankfully, there were no casualties, but five acres of my wheat and alfalfa fields were destroyed.”
The scale of the disaster has overwhelmed local capacities, with many residents expressing fear and uncertainty about the future. Video footage shared on social media floodwaters invading homes, forcing people to seek refuge on rooftops. The floods have left a trail of destruction, washing away homes, shops, and personal belongings.
Credit: Radio Azadi
Aid Arrives, But Struggles Persist for Flood Victims
Efforts to address the immediate needs of the affected population are underway, but challenges remain. Mullah Janan Sayeq, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of State for Disaster Management, did not respond to inquiries regarding the specifics of the recent floods’ casualties and damage. However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesperson, offered condolences to the flood victims on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that aid teams had been dispatched to the affected areas.
Despite these efforts, the need for humanitarian assistance remains urgent. The floods have caused immediate damage and disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of people. The destruction of agricultural land is particularly concerning, as it threatens the food security of the affected communities.
Local and international aid organizations are being called upon to provide immediate relief. Mohammad Salim Rasa, an Afghan volunteer who arrived in the affected area to assist in rescue efforts, told Afghan Insight that the scale of the destruction demands a coordinated and sustained response to address both the immediate needs and long-term recovery of the affected communities.
The recent devastating floods in Ghor province, Afghanistan, come shortly after deadly floods in Baghlan province in northeastern Afghanistan caused significant loss of life and property damage. Even a week after the floods, victims claim that the necessary aid has not yet reached them. Amir Ahmad, a resident of Burka district in Baghlan, told Afghan Insight, “People still lack shelter, there is no clean water, there is a shortage of doctors, access to other health services is limited, and the situation has not returned to normal. Most have lost loved ones, and their grief is still fresh.”
More about recent flooding in Afghanistan:
Minaret of Jam at Risk of Collapse Due to Floods
Afghanistan Floods: Ghor Devastated, Aid Slow to Reach Victims
Baghlan Floods: 40,000 Children Displaced, 80,000 Affected
Afghanistan and Climate Change: Challenges and Responses
Afghanistan Flood Crisis 2024: Over 350 Dead, Thousands Displaced Amid Catastrophic Floods
Afghanistan Flooding Devastates Communities; Death Toll Rises
Relentless Rains Batter Afghanistan, 50 Dead, More Misery Feared