Contingency Planning

Floods Cause Destruction, Displacement in Nangarhar

September 25, 2007

Flash floods killed three people, displaced dozens and destroyed at least 100 houses in the Khiwa District of Nangarhar Province in eastern Afghanistan, Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authorities (ANDMA) officials say.

"About 300 families are affected by flooding, of which over 180 have been displaced," says Shukrullah Ehsas, head of ANDMA’s Nangarhar provincial body.

Affected people said torrential rains, not common at this time of the year, started at midnight on Sept. 21. About four hours later, large quantities of rainwater gushed down from the Kashmond Mountains, in the northeast of the province, toward Khiwa District where around 1,500 families live.

One woman and two children have been confirmed dead in the floods so far.

"People have lost more than 100 livestock animals," Abdul Matin Adrak, head of ANDMA, says. "Hundreds of hectares of agricultural land have also been washed away by flood waters."

The majority of displaced people have sought refuge in the homes of their relatives or friends in nearby villages. Some families, however, spent the night of Sept. 22 in open air, locals say.

Aid organizations have dispatched assessment teams to the affected district to evaluate the situation and determine urgent humanitarian needs.

"Food is urgently and widely needed," says Ehsas, who took part in a quick assessment mission to Khiwa District.

Flood-affected families also need non-food assistance such as tents, blankets and kitchen utensils, according to provincial authorities.

Floodwaters have also contaminated water sources, raising the risk of a diarrhea outbreak, particularly among children and women. Chlorine tablets and sachets of oral rehydration salts are also urgently needed.

Affected families will require long-term assistance to re-establish their lives, specialists say.

The Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) says it has already provided tents and kitchen utensils to more than 50 of the most affected families.

The governor of Nangarhar Province, Gul Agha Sherzai, says they distributed 220 sacks of flour to some vulnerable families on Sunday, according to Edrak.

"More aid will be provided once we receive a clear picture of the situation," he says.

- Center for International Disaster Information