Devastating Flood in Baghlan: Five Villages Destroyed
Following the collapse of a natural reservoir wall in the highlands of the Taghanak area in Pul-e-Hesar district of Baghlan province, a powerful flash flood swept into the Andarab Valley on Friday (June 13), completely destroying five villages. The natural disaster occurred at around 7:00 AM. Fortunately, due to prior warnings and residents fleeing to higher ground, no casualties have been reported.
According to local sources, the villages of Shurabak, Upper Mad Niaz Khil, Lower Mad Niaz Khil, Qishlaq-e-Kalan Taghanak, and Darband-e-Tirgaran have been entirely destroyed. In addition, the villages of Sayedabad, Dehyak, and Nowbahar have sustained severe damage.
Hedayatullah Hamdard, head of the Natural Disaster Management Authority in Baghlan, stated that more than 120 residential houses were completely demolished and over 1,000 acres of farmland were damaged in the incident.
In addition, dozens of orchards, five mosques, hundreds of livestock, and at least ten pedestrian and vehicle bridges were swept away by the flood.
Despite the severity of the disaster, timely evacuation of residents to higher ground is believed to have prevented any loss of life. However, the financial damages are reported to be extensive and deeply concerning.
Afghanistan is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Natural disasters continuously inflict severe financial damage and pose serious threats to the safety and livelihoods of the population. Experts warn that if this trend continues, it could seriously jeopardize food security, farmers’ livelihoods, and the well-being of people—especially in the country’s mountainous and rural areas—underscoring the urgent need for national and international action.
