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Afghan President Visits Flood-Hit Parwan Province, Pledges Urgent Aid Package

An Afghan villager reacts next to his destroyed house as rescuers search for survivors and bodies after a flash flood hit Parwan Province late last month.
An Afghan villager reacts next to his destroyed house as rescuers search for survivors and bodies after a flash flood hit Parwan Province late last month.

CHARIKAR, Afghanistan -- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has pledged an urgent aid and recovery package to the residents of Parwan Province, which has been hit by heavy flooding in recent days.

During a visit to Parwan’s capital, Charikar, on September 3, Ghani said that his government "will make a sizeable investment" into various projects to help rebuild roads, clean canals, and provide financial help to those affected by the floods.

"We’ve received a proposal from the province to allocate 90 million Afghanis (about $1.2 million) to clean the canals [destroyed by the floods], and we’re providing this money immediately," Ghani told a gathering in Charikar.

Heavy rainfall that caused floods and mudslides killed some 200 people in Afghanistan’s northern and eastern regions, the disaster management agency said.

Dozens Killed, Homes Swept Away, By Flash Floods In Afghanistan

Men carry an injured person out of a house on August 26 after floods hit Charikar, the capital of Parwan Province.
1/13 Men carry an injured person out of a house on August 26 after floods hit Charikar, the capital of Parwan Province.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
The aftermath of flooding in Charikar on August 25
2/13 The aftermath of flooding in Charikar on August 25
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Flooding tore up roads and upended vehicles in Charikar.
3/13 Flooding tore up roads and upended vehicles in Charikar.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
A damaged police vehicle was mired in the mud in Charikar.
4/13 A damaged police vehicle was mired in the mud in Charikar.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Vehicles are strewn across a mud-filled street in Charikar.
5/13 Vehicles are strewn across a mud-filled street in Charikar.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
A destroyed house in Charikar
6/13 A destroyed house in Charikar
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
An Afghan man tries to salvage his belongings in Charikar on August 26.
7/13 An Afghan man tries to salvage his belongings in Charikar on August 26.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
A market area in Charikar on August 26.
8/13 A market area in Charikar on August 26.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Muddy walkways in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
9/13 Muddy walkways in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
The aftermath of the flood inside a house in Madian Wardak Province on August 26.
10/13 The aftermath of the flood inside a house in Madian Wardak Province on August 26.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Walking in some areas was still difficult in Maidan Wardak Province.
11/13 Walking in some areas was still difficult in Maidan Wardak Province.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Soldiers and locals search for the victims of a mudslide in Parwan Province.
12/13 Soldiers and locals search for the victims of a mudslide in Parwan Province.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
Rescue operations continued on August 26.
13/13 Rescue operations continued on August 26.
Flash floods caused by torrential rains have killed more than 100 people in Afghanistan. Authorities say at least 1,000 houses were destroyed in Parwan Province, just north of the capital, Kabul. There was also severe flooding in Maidan Wardak Province, west of Kabul.
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Parwan was the area most heavily affected by flooding that displaced thousands of large rocks, causing deaths and injuries, destroying entire homes, and burying people under the rubble.

Parwan officials say 157 people were killed and 130 wounded in the province. Five people remain unaccounted for.

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