Flooding occurring in Northern Afghanistan has claimed at least 58 lives, while hundreds have been trapped. The government of Jozan province warned that the death toll may rise.

More than 80 people are missing and 3000 homes have been destroyed. Many were trapped on roofs of their homes and helicopters had to be sent to rescue them.

“Nine villages were destroyed in Darzab and many other in three other regions were affected”, stated Abdul Rahman Mahmudi, assistant government of the province. He noted that “these floods are the fiercest within the last 30 years”.

“The Air Force has allocated two helicopters to rescue flood victims, but I do not think they are enough to evacuate the thousands of villagers”, underlined Mahmudi.