Afghanistan Floods: Flash Update #1 (30 March 2024) – Afghanistan – Inergency

Highlights

• Heavy rainfall across Afghanistan on 29 and 30 March has destroyed more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land and resulted in severe damage to over 540 homes, as well as other critical infrastructure across seven provinces, including six bridges and 450 km of road.

• Based on initial reports and assessments, the provinces where most damage has been reported are Faryab province in the Northern region, Nangarhar province in Eastern region, and Daikundi province in the Central Highlands region.

• This is the third time that the Northern region has experienced flooding in less than a month, with seven people killed and 384 families affected in heavy rains that occurred on 21 and 26-27 March.

• As of 30 March, there have been no reports of displacement due to the floods.

• The Afghanistan meteorological department forecasts further precipitation over the next 24 hours. OCHA, humanitarian partners and ANDMA are closely monitoring the situation.

Humanitarian Needs and Response

On 29 and 30 March, heavy rains were reported across the country with Faryab province in the Northern region, Nangarhar province in Eastern region, and Daikundi province in the Central Highlands region most affected. Floods have destroyed more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land and severely damaged or destroyed more than 540 homes, as well as other critical infrastructure across seven provinces, including six bridges and 450 km of a road. Humanitarian partners are preparing to assist affected families across the affected areas in coordination with the de-facto authorities, including the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA).

In the Northern region, flooding has severely damaged nearly 400 homes in Faryab province, including in Dawlat Abad (250 homes), Bilcheragh (100 homes), Gurziwan (30 homes), Khwajasbzposh (10 homes), and Pashtunkot (six homes) districts. Partners are reportedly unable to access some of the affected districts due to the collapse of the bridge connecting Bilcheragh and Garziwan districts. In Almar district, heavy rains damaged one public school, no casualties were reported. This is the third time that the Northern region has experienced flooding in less than a month, with seven people killed and 384 families affected in heavy rains that occurred on 21 and 26-27 March.

According to ANDMA, flash floods in Daikundi province in the Central Highlands region have destroyed 23 homes and severely damaged 56 homes in seven districts (Ashtarlay, Kejran, Miramoor, Nili, Pato, Sang takht, Shahristan). Initial reports indicate that more than 100 livestock have been killed, around 100 acres of agricultural land impacted, five bridges destroyed and 450 km of road damaged.

Heavy rainfall in Nangarhar province in Eastern region affected approximately 105 families in 11 districts (Achin, Bati Kot, Deh Bala, Dur Baba, Jalalabad, Kama, Lal Por, Momandara, Nazyan, Shinwar), including one woman was reportedly injured in Lalpoor district. Initial reports indicate that 10 homes were destroyed and 40 homes severely damaged by floods. Approximately 800 acres of crops and agricultural land in Nangarhar province were destroyed and more than 200 livestock killed. Extensive damage to shops, roads, vehicles and protection walls were reported. In response, four interagency needs assessment teams, led by IOM and Save the Children International, have been deployed. In Nuristan province, initial partner reports indicate that the main road of Wama to Nuristan is closed due to rockslide and a health clinic has been partially damaged.

In the South-Eastern region, ANDMA reported that heavy rainfall has damaged 60 homes and destroyed approximately 600 acres of agricultural fields in Char Chino district of Uruzgan province. Five community-based education (CBE) facilities in Tarin Kot City in Uruzgan province were damaged due to heavy rain. OCHA and IOM are mobilizing the OCT members to conduct needs assessments and provide lifesaving support to the affected households. Distributions of food, NFIs, emergency shelter kits, tents, WASH services, cash and other immediate support are ongoing.

In the Central region, some 15 homes have been destroyed and 50 livestock killed in Pacha Khak village, Kohi Safi district of Parwan province. Needs assessments are ongoing in Kabul province to assess the potential impact of heavy rainfall.

ANDMA reported that flash floods in Kaiwan village of Pule-Hisar district of Baghlan province in North-Eastern region damaged five homes and five acres of agricultural land and orchards. An assessment team has been deployed to assess the needs of affected families. In Badakhshan province, heavy rains destroyed a home in Faizabad City, no casualties were reported. In Zardalo-Darah areas of Kalafgan district of Takhar province, a home was reportedly damaged. Partners are assisting the affected families. Approximately five homes in Asmar district and one home in Dangam district in Kunar province have been severely damaged due to floods.