KABUL: Heavy rains triggered flash floods in the eastern Afghan province of Logar on Saturday, killing 20 people and destroying more than 3,000 homes.

The rains lashed several areas of the province, injuring more than 30 people in addition to those killed, the provincial governor’s office said.

The floods destroyed dozens of canals and about 5,000 acres of agricultural land, mainly orchards, the statement said, with about 2,000 livestock also killed.

Scores of Afghans die every year from floods and torrential rains, particularly in impoverished rural areas where poorly built homes are often at risk of collapse.

Security forces and charity organisations evacuated people to safe areas after their houses were destroyed, the provincial government said. Spokesman Bilal Karimi, in a separate statement, urged the international community to provide aid.

“We urgently request the international community... to join hands with Afghans at this critical time and (to) spare no effort to help the victims,” Karimi said.

The country’s meteorological department said more heavy rains and floods were expected across 21 provinces in the coming days.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2022