Afghanistan: Floods (Central Highlands and Northern Afghanistan) OCHA Situation Report No. 1

Ref: OCHA/GVA - 2004/110
OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Afghanistan - Floods (Central Highlands and Northern Afghanistan, 13-15 July)
22 July 2004

This report is based on information provided by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kabul, Afghanistan.

I. SITUATION

1. Heavy rains on 13 to 14 July in the central highlands and northern Afghanistan has triggered floods and mud/landslides. Twenty-three villages in Khamard district, Bamyan province, have suffered the most damage with an estimated population of 7,000 persons, of which 4,000 are directly affected. Approximately 60 per cent of the harvest has been destroyed and a considerable area of farmland has also been damaged by debris, inundated with water and covered with silt. Landslides and flooding have also blocked the roads to the affected areas. Over 340 houses have been destroyed, with significant loss of livestock. Four deaths have been confirmed in Bamyan province. In addition, some 15.5 KM of road is either completely destroyed in places or blocked by landslides.

2. There is an urgent need to dislodge the natural dam created by the landslides, which is blocking the flood flow. There is fear that the stagnant muddy water can be a source for water-borne diseases. If left unintended, it may burst causing extensive damage to both agricultural land and housing in the valley below.

3. In Northeastern Badakshan province, 8 persons have been killed as a result of the flooding. In Shohada district, up to 31 homes are completely destroyed, while 8 irrigation canals have been damaged. In Jurm district, 39 homes have been destroyed and 8 irrigation canals destroyed. There are a total of 70 affected families in Badakshan province.

4. Floods have also been reported in northern Samangan province, where the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) has reported that 20 homes, 1 mosque, 3 shops and an unknown area of farmland have been damaged. A joint, Government/UN assessment mission to Rau-I-Daub district (Samangan province) is ongoing.

II. NATIONAL RESPONSE

5. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, together with the NGOs Solidarites and the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have assembled the relief items in Bamyan and plan to begin distribution today in Khamard district. In addition, the French NGO Solidarites has begun work on clearing the main road in Khamard. In Badakshan province, the Provincial Disaster Management committee, comprising representatives of the Government, UN Agencies, UNAMA and NGOs) are also distributing relief items.

6. As road clearance work begins, the Government, UN Agencies, NGOs and UNAMA are planning further assessment and relief missions to the affected villages in Khamard districts.

III. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE

7. The Office of the Resident Coordinator has been contacted by the Provincial authorities in Bamyan province, which has requested assistance for Khamard district, where there is an urgent need for equipment and personnel to help dislodge the dam created by debris and mudslides. There is concern that if the dam should burst, a number of villages will be destroyed. The provincial authorities have also requested assistance in clearing the roads affected by landslides.

8. An allocation of USD 18,500 from the Government of Denmark's Emergency Grant was approved on 21 July for emergency road clearance work in Khamard District and the transportation of relief items to the affected populations.

9. OCHA is in close contact with the UN Resident Coordinator in Kabul, and will revert with further information when available.

10. This situation report, together with further information on other ongoing emergencies is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at http://www.reliefweb.int.

MAP - Afghanistan: Floods - Situation map #2

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Ms. Afia Ali Blasco Direct, Tel. +41-22-917 11 73

Press contact:
(GVA) Ms. Madeline Moulin-Acevedo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 31 60
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