Around 70 people have been killed by heavy rains lashing Afghanistan over the past five days, the government's disaster management department said on April 17. Afghanistan was parched by an unusually dry winter, which desiccated the earth, exacerbating flash flooding caused by spring downpours in most provinces. Disaster management spokesman Janan Sayeq said "approximately 70 people lost their lives" as a result of rains between April 13 and April 17.
70 killed As Afghanistan Hit By Heavy Rains
An Afghan motorcyclist drives through a sodden street following heavy rains and flash flooding in the Guzara district of Herat Province earlier this week.