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Floods kill over 60 in Afghanistan

31 July 2010 23:45 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Sixty-five people have been killed and 1,000 families have been hit by heavy flash floods caused by monsoon rains in Afghanistan, the country’s National Disaster Management Authority says, APA reports quoting Press TV.

"Initial information sent by our provincial offices shows that nearly 70 people have been killed and tens injured. We estimate more than 1,000 families have been affected but these figures may rise," Abdul Matin Edrok, the head of Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, said.

The disastrous situation has mostly affected the northeastern province of Kapisa, where 31 people have been killed. Others were killed in provinces located in the eastern parts of the country, Edrok explained.

According to AFP, Afghan and NATO coalition helicopters have been distributing food and medical aid among those affected by the disaster.

The Afghan casualties come as the death toll from three days of flooding in neighboring Pakistan reached 800 as rain showers bloated rivers, submerged villages, and triggered landslides.

Hundreds have gone missing as a result of the flood while at least 1 million people have been rendered homeless in Pakistan.