Flash floods wipe out crops on 350 acres in Nangarhar

JALALABAD (Pajhwok): Flash floods have washed away crops on 350 acres of land in Kot district of eastern Nangarhar province, an official said on Wednesday.

Ajmal Subhani, spokesman for Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department, warned if retaining walls were not constructed, 750 acres more farmland would be destroyed in fresh flash floods.

He said rain-induced flash floods destroyed crops on 350 acres of land in Lagharjo and Farkhshel villages of the district on Tuesday.

He added the crops included tomatoes, corn, rice and other vegetables.

About 15 dams were also destroyed in these two villages in the disaster, he explained.

On the other hand, farmers of the district also urged the caretaker government to construct to retaining walls and provide the affected people with emergency assistance.

Rashid Khan, a farmer in Lagharjo village, whose crops were destroyed on an acre of land, asked the government to construct retaining walls to prevent such disasters.

Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock Department officials say they have requested assistance from partner institutions in the construction of retaining walls and aid to affected farmers.

kk/ma