Unprecedented rainfall has triggered devastating flash floods in Afghanistan, leading to the tragic loss of over 300 lives. The floodwaters have decimated homes and infrastructure, leaving thousands in need of urgent assistance. Northern provinces, particularly Baghlan, have suffered the brunt of the disaster.
Torrential rains in northern Afghanistan have led to catastrophic flash floods, resulting in the tragic loss of over 300 lives, as confirmed by the United Nations. The Taliban’s interior ministry has declared a state of emergency in response to the devastating situation.
The floods have caused widespread destruction, with villages and agricultural land being swept away by rampaging mud and debris. In the province of Baghlan alone, more than 300 lives have been claimed, and thousands of homes have been either destroyed or severely damaged. The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration and World Food Agency reported that the World Food Agency is providing sustenance to survivors of the floods by distributing fortified biscuits.
In Baghlani Jadid, the government reported that over 1,500 homes have been compromised, with more than 100 casualties. The Taliban government has confirmed 62 fatalities as of Friday night, while government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has expressed condolences for the citizens lost to the floods.
The relentless rains have also wreaked havoc in other provinces, including Badakhshan, Ghor, and Herat. Emergency personnel are working diligently to rescue and provide assistance to those affected by the flash floods. The natural disasters management department has reported substantial financial losses due to the floods.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about the significant impact on shelter, transportation, water, and sanitation infrastructure. The organization reports that many individuals remain unaccounted for, and the situation remains critical.
On May 8th, a 3.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Lower Subansiri region of Arunachal Pradesh at 4:55 AM, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake was felt across the region, but no injuries or damage have been reported thus far.
Torrential rainfall has led to a devastating flood and landslide in Indonesia’s Sulawesi island, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 lives. The deluge, which has been relentless since Thursday, triggered a landslide in Luwu district, causing widespread flooding that has affected 13 sub-districts and damaged over 1,000 homes, with 42 being swept away from their foundations. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to evacuate affected residents to safety using rubber boats and other vehicles, with over 100 individuals being relocated to mosques or relatives’ residences outside the disaster zone.
Heavy rains in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have taken a tragic turn, with the death toll rising to 29 as of Thursday night. Another 60 people remain missing. The devastation has also forced more than 10,000 residents to evacuate their homes, and electricity and water cuts have been reported across the state. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited the affected areas to express solidarity.
Multiple tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma on Sunday, causing widespread destruction and leaving thousands of residents without electricity. The storms flattened buildings in Sulphur, a town with a population of around 5,000, and injured over 100 people. Emergency responders conducted water rescues as heavy rain accompanied the tornadoes, leading to significant flooding. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency to mobilize resources for recovery efforts.
Oklahoma and neighboring Great Plains states have been battered by an exceptional outbreak of tornadoes, with separate weather systems spawning dozens of twisters across the region. At least two individuals have perished in the storms, including a four-month-old infant in Holdenville, Oklahoma. The National Weather Service confirmed 78 tornadoes on Friday, primarily in Nebraska and Iowa, followed by 35 more tornado reports on Saturday in areas stretching from northern Texas to Missouri. The storms have caused widespread devastation, flattening buildings, overturning vehicles, and stripping trees of vegetation. Rescue crews are tirelessly searching for victims and survivors amidst the wreckage, while officials have declared a state of emergency to expedite aid to impacted counties. The region is renowned for its frequent and powerful tornadoes during the spring season, but back-to-back major tornado outbreaks within a short period are highly unusual.
A tornado tore through the Baiyun district of Guangzhou, China, on Saturday afternoon, killing five people and injuring 33. The twister caused significant damage to 141 factory buildings, but no residential houses collapsed. Rescuers from various city departments and local residents responded quickly to the scene, and search and rescue operations have been completed.
In a catastrophic event described as a “once in a century” horror, southern China is facing widespread flooding that has claimed the lives of eleven people and left millions without homes. The city of Qingyuan in Guangdong Province has been severely impacted, with videos shared on social media showing torrents of water demolishing walls and bridges.
