Fresh floods kill 4, destroy roads in Paktia

GARDEZ (Pajhwok):  Four people, including a child, were killed in yesterday’s flooding that devastated roads in southeastern Paktia province, the provincial Department of Information and Culture says.

In a statement, the Information and Culture department said three members of a family (husband, wife and child) lost their lives to floods in Rabat area of ​​Gardez, the provincial capital. Another person died yesterday in Gerda Serai district due to floods.

Meanwhile, Paktia residents and commuters say the roads from Gardez to Dand Patan and Zurmat district and Kabul have also been damaged by yesterday's floods.

A motorist Ziaullah told Pajhwok: "Due to the floods, the Gardez-Dand Patan road has been severely damaged. The road has been washed away in some places."

He said travelling on the road had become difficult and trucks were stranded, urging the government to take urgent action to restore the road.

A driver on the Kabul-Gardez highway, Khair Mohammad Zazai, told Pajhwok that yesterday’s flooding damaged the road and if attention was not paid to it, the road would further damage.

Public Works director Ahmad Ahmadi said recent rains and subsequent flooding had damaged several roads in Paktia besides causing damages to houses in the city. “Our team is monitoring the situation and taking action."

He said their teams daily worked to clear the roads and cooperated with people in areas where traffic was obstructed.

Maulawi Ahmad said some parts of the roads needed fundamental repair and he had shared the matter with the relevant ministry and action will be taken to resolve it.

Since past several days, people suffered heavy financial and life losses due to floods in many provinces of the country.

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