Flash floods batter Afghanistan, at least 22 dead

Published August 11, 2013
An Afghan woman walks, as she is reflected in flood water in Kabul, Afghanistan.—AP Photo
An Afghan woman walks, as she is reflected in flood water in Kabul, Afghanistan.—AP Photo

KABUL: At least 22 people in Afghanistan were killed and farmland was damaged when flash floods hit a plain near the capital, officials said on Sunday.

Normally arid Afghanistan can get heavy rain in its summer and more than 60 people were killed early this month in flooding east of the capital, Kabul.

The latest floods followed hours of torrential rain and hail on Saturday, with the Shomali plain, just to the north of Kabul, particularly hard hit.

Six of the dead were children, said senior Kabul police officer, Sayed Ekramuddin Jalal.

“We have already sent teams of rescuers to the area and taken people out of danger,” he said.

Several people were injured and about a dozen homes were washed away. Many irrigation canals and wells, as well as orchards and fields were damaged, he said.

Some of the victims were visiting relatives for the Eidul Fitr holiday, he said.

Two women were killed and four people were injured in flooding elsewhere, said Ghulam Farouq, an official at the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness.

Opinion

Editorial

Balanced approach
Updated 02 Jun, 2023

Balanced approach

Only a legitimate government may be able to take the country out of its present crisis.
Rise in attacks
02 Jun, 2023

Rise in attacks

AN enduring security dilemma for Pakistan has been the issue of cross-border havens in Afghanistan for militants,...
Narrowing the gap
02 Jun, 2023

Narrowing the gap

THE rupee made a substantial recovery of 11.5 against the dollar in the open market a day after the State Bank...
Free, fair & timely
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Free, fair & timely

The stakeholders need to take a step back and let democracy take its course.
Virtual SCO summit
01 Jun, 2023

Virtual SCO summit

HOSTING multilateral summits is a matter of great prestige for states, as world leaders gather at the same table to...
Missing anchorperson
Updated 01 Jun, 2023

Missing anchorperson

IT gives insight into the obduracy of those in whose custody Imran Riaz Khan is being held that multiple appeals ...