Pakistan extends condolences to Afghanistan amid devastating floods

Islamabad: Pakistan has expressed deepest sympathies and condolences over the loss of precious lives and livelihoods and damage to properties caused by heavy rains and flash flooding in several provinces of Afghanistan.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch prayed to God Almighty to grant patience and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear the irreparable loss.

At least 33 people were killed due to heavy rain continuously for three days and flash floods in Afghanistan.

The government's disaster management department reported devastating consequences following heavy rains in Afghanistan.

Spokesperson Janan Sayeq announced on Sunday that flash floods from Friday resulted in significant human and financial losses. Preliminary data reveals that 33 people lost their lives, with 27 sustaining injuries.

The majority of casualties occurred due to roof collapses, with approximately 600 homes damaged or destroyed. Moreover, 200 livestock perished, nearly 600 kilometers of roads were destroyed, and around 800 hectares of agricultural land were inundated.

The heavy rains affected twenty out of Afghanistan's thirty-four provinces, particularly impacting Western Farah, Herat, southern Zabul, and Kandahar.

The authorities have cautioned that more rainfall is anticipated in the coming days across most provinces.

The diminished flow of foreign aid into Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021 has impeded relief efforts in response to natural disasters.

Earlier this year, at least 25 individuals died in a landslide triggered by heavy snowfall in eastern Afghanistan, while about 60 perished during a three-week period of intense precipitation ending in March.

The United Nations had previously warned about Afghanistan's vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.