Afghanistan floods: Death toll rises to 153, 138 injured, says Taliban

Four health centres have been damaged and one destroyed, according to the World Health Organisation

Read more...
Afghan relatives attend a burial ceremony of victims who lost their lives following flash floods after heavy rainfall at a village in Baghlan-e-Markazi district of Baghlan province on Saturday. Photo: AFP

By Reuters

Published: Sat 11 May 2024, 4:58 PM

The 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.

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

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

Advertising
Advertising

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Many people had been left homeless and transportation, water and waste systems were "severely disrupted", according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"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.

ALSO READ:

Reuters

Published: Sat 11 May 2024, 4:58 PM

Recommended for you