Flash floods triggered by heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan killed hundreds of people in May 2024, the Guardian reported.
What is happening?
In Afghanistan, flash floods caused by torrential rains killed hundreds of people, leading authorities to call a state of emergency. On the morning of May 11, the government reported at least 50 deaths, but that number rose to more than 100 by that evening, according to separate reports from the Guardian. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations have reported more than 300 deaths. Most of the victims lived in Baghlan province.
“Many people are still missing,” Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani told Agence France-Presse, according to the Guardian.
This latest event follows at least 130 deaths in Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan in April, after those countries were hit by unseasonable rainfall.
Why are these floods worrying?
In addition to the loss of life, thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged in the northern province of Baghlan, the Guardian reported, citing information from the World Food Program.
Additionally, flooding brings other dangers. For example, stagnant water is a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and mold, which can put people at risk for lung disease, according to the American Lung Association. Flooding is also associated with an increased frequency of mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria.
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The deluge of floodwaters in Afghanistan in April and May also inundated farmland in a country where more than 80% of the population depends on agriculture to survive.
Although rain and flooding are natural events, experts agree that rising global temperatures are making extreme weather events more frequent and intense. Journalist and climate tech investor Molly Wood has even described climate change as a “steroid” for the weather, saying it reinforces natural weather patterns.
What do we do about floods?
Emergency personnel rushed to rescue injured and stranded people, and the Air Force began evacuation efforts, transferring hundreds of people to hospitals. The country has also distributed food, medicine and first aid to affected communities, according to the Guardian.
Meanwhile, people around the world are looking for new ways to cope with future floods. For example, nonprofit organizations in California help residents install rain gardens to protect their properties from soggy weather. Additionally, some companies have developed floating homes and office buildings to help communities withstand intense storms and flooding.
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