Flash floods in Afghanistan kill at least 22 people

Most victims were in cars when water swept vehicles away

Afghans stand near a destroyed car after floods in the Shakar Dara district of Kabul. At least 22 people were killed and farmland was damaged when flash floods hit a plain near the capital. Photograph: Mohammad Ismail/Reuters
Afghans stand near a destroyed car after floods in the Shakar Dara district of Kabul. At least 22 people were killed and farmland was damaged when flash floods hit a plain near the capital. Photograph: Mohammad Ismail/Reuters

An Afghan disaster management official said heavy rains and overnight hailstorms have killed at least 22 people near the capital.

Mohammad Daim Kakar, who is general director for disaster management in Kabul province, said that at least 20 people died in Chakardara district just north of the capital. He added that the victims include seven children.

Most of the victims were in cars when floods swept their vehicles away and submerged them, Mr Kakar said.

He says another two children died in a flood in the Paghman district west of the city.

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Heavy rains affected eastern Afghanistan late last night and today.

Last week flash floods killed about 75 people in five eastern provinces.

PA