Floods wreak havoc in Takhar, 4 killed

TALUQAN (Pajhwok): Four people were killed and dozens others injured by flash floods that washed away hundreds of houses and destroyed crops on thousands of acres of land in northern Takhar province, an official said on Saturday.

Around 70 people believed missing after the latest flooding engulfed Badam Dara, Ahandara and Chashma Sher localities of Taluqan City, the provincial capital, on Friday evening, the governor’s spokesman said.

Sunatullah Taimor told Pajhwok Afghan News 600 houses and wheat and rice crops grown over thousands acres were destroyed by the flooding and rescuers had so far evacuated 500 stranded families to safer places.

Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) head for Takhar said the affected families were being shifted to tents, where food and other assistance had already been provided.

The floods also affected families in Bangi, Warsaj, Chal, Namak, Ishkamish and Kalfagan districts

 Abdul Aziz, one of the affected persons, said he lost a relative to the flooding, but was able to evacuate other family members to safety.

 nh/rm/ma