Afghanistan Floods: Flash Update #1 - Floods hit the Northern and Western Regions of Afghanistan (20 May 2024)

Highlights

• On 17 and 18 May, heavy rainfall caused intense flooding in Ghor province in the Western region and Faryab province in the Northern region of Afghanistan.

• Across Faryab province, early reports indicate that 84 people have been killed, 5 people injured and 40 people are missing. About 1,870 houses have been destroyed or damaged, 150 shops flooded, 700 acres of agriculture land has been washed away, 900 livestock were lost, and 30,000 vines and fruit tress destroyed.

• Initial reports shared by humanitarian partners in Ghor province indicate approximately 50 people have been killed and hundreds of people are missing. Early unconfirmed reports indicate substantial damage to over 6,000 houses, more than 1,200 shops, as well as other critical civilian infrastructure.

• Across both Faryab and Ghor provinces, initial reports indicate that the most immediate and pressing needs for affected households are access to food, water, shelter and NFIs.

Overview

On 17 and 18 May, heavy rainfall led to flash floods in the Northern and Western regions of Afghanistan, impacting 10 districts in Ghor province (Charsada, Dawlatyar, Dolayna, Ferozkoh, Lal Wa Sarjangal, Murghab, Pasaband, Saghar, Shahrak, and Tolak districts), as well as eight districts in Faryab province (Almar, Bilcheragh, Chehlgazi, Dawlatabad, Khaibar, Maimana, Pashtun Kot and Qaysar districts). While assessments are ongoing for both provinces, initial reports indicate the large-scale floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 120 people with hundreds more people missing and extensive damage to private properties and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties will increase significantly as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that people may be trapped under collapsed buildings. In northern Afghanistan, the initial flooding on 17 May in Faryab province reportedly affected around 560 households followed by a second wave of flooding on 18 May which affected approximately 1,300 households across eight districts. Affected villages in Bilcheragh and Khaiber districts are currently inaccessible due to challenging terrains and road blockages. Partners plan to access the area through Gurziwan district to continue their assessment In the Western region, humanitarian partners note that Murghab district in Ghor province is considered at high risk due to the large amounts of debris that are reportedly blocking the flow of the Murghab River and increasing the risk of additional flooding of nearby villages if the river breaks (Asfarman with 500 families, Jandak with 900 families, Pai Khaza with 50 families, Raqsan with 800 families, Shamak with 3,500 families, Shuraba with 700 families, and Shardiz with 100 families). As of today, humanitarian partners have not been able to access Murghab district with humanitarian assistance. Partners reported that in the outskirts of Chaghcharan city in Ferozkoh district, both health facilities and markets are inaccessible. Furthermore, the road from Hirat to Ghor was heavily damaged and inaccessible until Sunday night, with partners mobilizing additional resources from Kabul via accessible roads.