Flood in Afghanistan kills 22 people

Heavy rain and flooding have killed 22 people, hundreds of homes and damaged crops in Afghanistan.

The Head of Communications and Information at Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority-Hassibullah Shekhani, stated this on Thursday.

Shekhani said; “the Taliban government, struggling to cope with the disaster that has affected more than a third of its provinces, will approach international relief organisations for help.

“Due to flooding and storms in 12 provinces, 22 people have died and 40 injured.”

He explained that 500 houses were destroyed, 300 heads of livestock killed and some 3,000 acres of crops damaged.

The rain and flooding were very severe in the western provinces of Badghis and the northern province of Baghlan.

Afghanistan has been suffering from drought in recent years and made worse by climate change, with low crop yields raising fears of serious food shortages.

The weather has given rise to the problems of poverty caused by decades of war and then a drop in foreign aid and the freezing of assets abroad after the Taliban took over, and withdrawal of US-led forces.

International Committee of the Red Cross is helping in rescue operation and officials would approach other International organisations for help.

BBC/Temitope Obisesan/Mercy Chukwudiebere