Afghanistan: Flash Floods - Aug 2020

Since 25 August, heavy flash floods are reported across 9 provinces (Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Wardak, Logar, Paktiya, Paktika, Nuristan and Nangarhar), causing destruction of houses and agricultural land. Initial reports indicate that 300 houses were destroyed, 35 people were killed and 43 injured. Needs assessments are taking place. Heavy fighting is reported in the province of Kunduz. People are fleeing and are gathering around Kunduz City. Reportedly, an estimated 7,500 families were displaced. Many families have no shelter. Kunduz City is already hosting a high number of displaced people. The Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM, DG ECHO funded) has deployed extra resources, to ensure a rapid response to lifesaving needs. The civil conflict in Afghanistan has worsened in the last two months. Many overland highways are under control of opposition forces. The civilian population bears the brunt of the conflict caused insecurity and restrictions (ECHO, 26 Aug 2020)

Initial information indicated 2,049 families affected, over 145 killed and another 167 sustained injuries in 11 provinces, agricultural land and public infrastructure impacted following flash floods on 26th August 2020. Joint assessment teams consisting of IOM, ANDMA, WFP, UNICEF, DRC, CARE International, DACAAR, IRC, DAIL, DoRR, and ARCS assessed and verified 1,482 families needing humanitarian assistance in Logar, Wardak, Kapisa, Parwan, Kabul and Laghman provinces. (IOM, 29 Aug 2020).

After flash floods affected the Central, Southeast and Eastern Regions of Afghanistan on 25-26 August, the number of fatalities continues to increase. According to the UNOCHA report of 31 August, more than 145 people died and 167 people have been injured in 11 provinces. More than 2,000 households have been affected. The Parwan Province (Central Region) is the worst affected area, with 106 dead, 106 injured and 26 still missing. 390 houses have been destroyed and 483 have been severely damaged, leaving many families displaced. Widespread damage was reported to agricultural land and public infrastructure. (ECHO, 1 Sep 2020).

Media report, as of 4 September, nearly 200 fatalities, of which at least 157 in Parwan, 12 people are still missing, 170 injured, 1,055 destroyed houses, and around 3,000 damaged houses throughout the affected area. (ECHO, 4 Sep 2020).