Connect with us

CBS News

Flash floods in northern Afghanistan killed more than 300 people, U.N. says

Avatar

Published

on


Flash floods from unusually heavy seasonal rains in Afghanistan have killed more than 300 people and destroyed over 1,000 houses, the U.N. food agency said Saturday.

The World Food Program said it was distributing fortified biscuits to the survivors of one of the many floods that hit Afghanistan over the last few weeks, mostly the northern province of Baghlan, which bore the brunt of the deluges Friday.

In neighboring Takhar province, state-owned media outlets reported the floods killed at least 20 people.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, posted on the social media platform X that “hundreds … have succumbed to these calamitous floods, while a substantial number have sustained injuries.”

Afghanistan Floods
People gather around their damaged houses after heavy flooding in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Mehrab Ibrahimi / AP


Mujahid identified the provinces of Badakhshan, Baghlan, Ghor and Herat as the worst hit. He added that “the extensive devastation” has resulted in “significant financial losses.”

He said the government had ordered all available resources mobilized to rescue people, transport the injured and recover the dead.

The Taliban Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday that the country’s air force has already begun evacuating people in Baghlan and has rescued a large number of people stuck in flooded areas and transported 100 injured people to military hospitals in the region.

Afghanistan Floods
People are seen near their damaged homes after heavy flooding in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, May 11, 2024. 

Mehrab Ibrahimi / AP


Richard Bennett, U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said on X that the floods are a stark reminder of Afghanistan’s vulnerability to the climate crisis and both immediate aid and long-term planning by the Taliban and international actors are needed.

Videos posted on social media showed dozens of people gathered Saturday behind the hospital in Baghlan looking for their loved ones. An official tells them that they should go and start digging graves while their staff are busy with preparing bodies for the burial ceremony.

Afghanistan Floods
People clean up their damaged homes after heavy flooding in Baghlan province in northern Afghanistan on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Mehrab Ibrahimi / AP


Officials previously said that in April at least 70 people died from heavy rains and flash flooding in the country. About 2,000 homes, three mosques, and four schools were also damaged.



Read the original article

Leave your vote

CBS News

Here Comes the Sun: Zoë Kravitz and more

Avatar

Published

on


Here Comes the Sun: Zoë Kravitz and more – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Actor, producer and director Zoë Kravitz sits down with Michelle Miller to discuss her directorial debut with the film “Blink Twice.” Then, Martha Teichner meets Philippe Petit, the French high-wire artist who walked across a high wire strung between the Twin Towers 50 years ago. “Here Comes the Sun” is a closer look at some of the people, places and things we bring you every week on “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard

Avatar

Published

on


The Bathtub Murder of Kendy Howard – CBS News


Watch CBS News



Did a former Idaho state trooper use his law enforcement skills to stage his wife’s death in their bathtub? “48 Hours” correspondent Peter Van Sant reports.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

CBS News

The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom

Avatar

Published

on


The Menendez Brothers’ Fight for Freedom – CBS News


Watch CBS News



The Menendez brothers were given life sentences for gunning down their own parents. Now they’re hoping new evidence could reopen the case. “48 Hours” contributor Natalie Morales reports.

Be the first to know

Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.




Read the original article

Leave your vote

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024 Breaking MN

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.