85 houses swept away in Wardak, Laghman floods

MEHTARLAM/MAIDAN SHAHR (Pajhwok): Three people were killed and 55 houses destroyed by recent floods in eastern Laghman province, and at least 30 houses were destroyed in central Maidan Wardak province, officials said Saturday.

Khair Mohammad Ghazi, head of the disaster management authority in Laghman, told Pajhwok Afghan News that heavy rains that continued  yesterday and today caused flash floods in Mehtarlam and districts including Alishang, Alingar, Dawlatshah, Badpakh, and Qarghai).

Without giving details, he said, three people were killed and 15 others were wounded in the floods.

The floods also completely destroyed 55 houses, 1500 acres of agricultural land and killed 130 household animals, he said, adding 13 fruit orchards, 155 canals and 40 retaining walls had also been destroyed.

The affected families have called on the government and charity organizations to provide them with emergency assistance.

Abdul Jabbar, a resident of Kakas village in Qarghai district, told Pajhwok that the floods that emerged yesterday and last night damaged the rooms of his house.

He asked the government to help the affected families rebuild their damaged homes.

In central Maidan Wardak province, the Natural Disaster Management Department says rain-induced flash floods swept away at least 30 houses.

Maulvi Faizullah Jalali, director of the department, told Pajhwok Afghan News: “At least 30 houses were destroyed by floods in Chak, Daimerdad, Sayedabad and Jaghato districts and many culverts and bridges were also damaged on Friday night.”

Without giving details, he said many people suffered financial losses due to the floods.

Jan Agha Himmat, a resident of Nek Paqol area, told Pajhwok the floods destroyed around 10 houses in their area and caused heavy financial losses to residents.

A resident of Tangi area in Saidabad district, Nisar Ahmed, said that last night, floods emerged again in their area and caused damages to people’s houses and crops.

sa/ma