Afghanistan Floods: Flash Update #1 - Floods hit Eastern and Northeastern Afghanistan, 17 July 2024

Highlights

• O n 15 and 16 July, heavy windstorms, severe rainfall and flash floods struck multiple districts of Badakhshan, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar and Nuristan provinces in Eastern and Northeastern Afghanistan, resulting in 40 fatalities and 251 injuries, and significant infrastructure damage.
• While assessments are ongoing, initial reports indicate that at least 734 families require urgent humanitarian assistance and that 573 houses have suffered damage or destruction.
• The reception center at the Torkham border crossing point, which serves as a main entry point for Afghan returnees, has been heavily hit by the storm and rain. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities and 400 tents have been damaged or destroyed in the nearby Omari camp.
• Across all provinces, initial reports indicate that the urgent needs of affected households are access to food, shelter, health and WASH services. Protection and health risks are further exacerbated by many flood-affected families sheltering outside of destroyed and damaged houses. Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) services are required for the most affected families.

Overview

On 15 and 16 July, heavy windstorms, rains and flash floods in the Eastern and Northeastern regions of Afghanistan impacted at least 21 districts across Badakhshan (Jorm district), Kunar (Asadabad, Shegal Marawara, Barkunar, Watapur, Dara-e-Pech districts), Laghman (Mehtarlam, Dawlatshah, Alingar, Alishang, Qarghayi, Badpakh districts), Nangarhar (Jalalabad city, Surkhrod, Behsud, Mohmandara, Batikot, Lalpura districts) and Nuristan (Mandul, Kamdesh, Wama districts) provinces. Initial reports indicate that the large-scale floods have resulted in extensive damage and destruction of private properties and civilian infrastructure. Several roads have been cut or closed, including major connection roads from provincial capitals to districts in Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman provinces, creating challenges for accessing affected communities. Damage to the major power line from Kabul caused power outages in many areas in Nangarhar province alone, 60 electricity poles have been reported as destroyed. The reception center at the Torkham border crossing point, which serves as a main entry point for Afghan returnees and has supported large parts of the 650,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan since September 2023 with essential services, has been heavily hit by the storm and rain. WASH facilities and 400 tents have been damaged or destroyed in the nearby Omari camp.

The floods recorded in the Eastern region from 15 July onwards follow similar widespread events affecting Northern, Northeastern, and Western regions of Afghanistan since April 2024. Recurring catastrophic damage to civilian and public infrastructure has left thousands of vulnerable people without shelter.