At least 70 people have been killed and over 50 injured in Afghanistan due to severe flooding that began six days ago, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Mullah Janan Saeq, a spokesman for the authority, confirmed the rising death toll on Wednesday, which marks a significant increase from the previously reported figure of 33 fatalities.
Saeq added that the floods have caused widespread devastation across the country, damaging an estimated 2,500 homes and leading to the deaths of more than 2,000 livestock. This comes as heavy rain and sporadic snowfall continue to batter Afghanistan, with the Meteorological Directorate predicting further downpours over the next four days.
The recent fatalities add to the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The country is already grappling with poverty and the ongoing insurgency, making it even more vulnerable to the devastating effects of natural disasters.
Aid agencies are likely to step up their efforts to deliver assistance to the flood-affected regions. However, the worsening weather conditions could hamper these efforts and potentially lead to even greater loss of life and property.