Floods in Laghman Province Claim Five Lives Amid Widespread Damage

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that heavy rainfall and sudden flash floods in Laghman province have resulted in five deaths, including a staff member of the Danish Refugee Council. According to the agency, these floods occurred within just one day and have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agricultural lands.

OCHA’s weekly regional humanitarian update added that flooding on the 21st and 22nd of May also affected the provinces of Baghlan, Takhar, and Badakhshan. The Kabul-Jalalabad highway was temporarily closed due to destruction and waterlogging, disrupting travel between the central and eastern parts of the country.

The organization emphasized that recent natural disasters have damaged homes, farmlands, and people’s livelihoods, affecting at least 260 families in northern and northeastern provinces. Many residents in these areas urgently need humanitarian aid to meet their basic needs.

Meanwhile, the Taliban administration announced on May 24th that at least 11 people have died and 15 others have been injured due to rains and floods in Panjshir, Paktia, Baghlan, and Takhar provinces. They also reported that since the beginning of this year’s rainy season on March 26th, over 250 people have died across the country, although no independent verification of this figure has been made public.

The National Meteorological Department has issued warnings of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and flood risks in 11 provinces on May 26th and 27th. Given the recurring nature of such events in recent years, experts stress the urgent need for better preparedness by responsible agencies and the implementation of preventive measures to reduce casualties and damage.