Torrential rains triggered severe flash floods in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province on Friday, inflicting widespread destruction in the Baharak and Jurm districts.

Local officials and residents have reported heavy losses, including damaged homes, ruined farmland, and destroyed infrastructure.

According to residents, the floods struck in the early hours of Friday morning, sweeping through residential neighborhoods and washing away hundreds of acres of orchards and farmland. Eyewitnesses described the scene as catastrophic.

“Nothing is left for us. The flood swept away everything, including carpets and kitchenware,” said Rahmatullah, a resident of the affected area, recounting the extent of the destruction.

Sayed Ahmad Saeedi, the mayor of Jurm district, confirmed the widespread damage. “Around 5:30 in the morning, the flood occurred and caused severe damage to the people—destroying their homes, lands, and gardens,” he said.

In response to the disaster, many flood victims are now calling on the Islamic Emirate authorities and humanitarian organizations for immediate relief and long-term support. Abdul Qadeer, another affected resident, appealed for preventive measures: “Our request of the government is to help us and to build flood barriers so that we don’t face such disasters again.”

Officials from the Natural Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Badakhshan have confirmed the severity of the situation and said rapid response teams are already assessing the damage.

“Unfortunately, yesterday’s floods in the districts of Jurm and Baharak destroyed residential houses, farmlands, and orchards,” said Mohammad Kamgar, the provincial head of the NDMA. “Our teams have been deployed to the area, and aid will follow once assessments are complete.”

In addition to the damage to homes and agriculture, dozens of vehicles were reported damaged along the vital Fayzabad–Baharak highway, further complicating transportation and relief efforts.

The residents of Badakhshan, a mountainous region often vulnerable to seasonal floods and landslides, are now facing urgent humanitarian needs, with authorities under pressure to deliver timely assistance and implement preventive infrastructure to mitigate future disasters. (ILKHA)