Floods cut off Faizabad from 17 towns

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Heavy rains flooded roads linking the capital of northeastern Badakhshan province, Faizabad, with 17 districts, an official said on Saturday.

The flash floods destroyed a 30-kilomter section of a road in Warduj district and closed other routes linking Zibak, Ishkashim, Wakhan and Shaghnan districts with Faizabad.

Public Works Director Eng Abdul Ghani told Pajhwok Afghan News 35 kilometers of roads were destroyed in Yamgan alone, disconnecting several villages from the district centre.

He said the presence of Taliban in the flood-hit areas prevented aid supplies from reaching affected families. “We cannot transport aid because of security concerns,” Ghani added.

He said the floods had damaged a huge bridge in Siminjaw area of Yaftal district. The bridge linked nine districts with Faizabad, he said.

Roads in Tishkan and Juram districts have also been blocked, taking the number of cut-off districts to 17, Ghani said.

Warduj district chief Dawlat Mohammad Khawar said the Public Works Department had launched efforts to reopen the road.

A resident of the district, Jalaluddin, said recent floods caused huge damages to crops and fruit orchards. He said it seemed impossible the district road would be opened today.

Another resident, Khesraw, said the floods not only destroyed roads, but also affected and displaced many people.

“We hope the government and aid organisations will soon address the problems of affected people,” he said.

Deputy Governor Gul Mohammad Baidar said Natural Disaster Management Authority officials and aid organizations had surveying the affected areas and relief supplies would be distributed soon to the affected families.

mds/ma

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