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Afghan flooding kills 51 people Afghan flood toll increases to 88
(about 18 hours later)
At least 51 people have been killed and hundreds of homes destroyed after flooding and avalanches in Afghanistan. Avalanches and floods have killed an additional 37 people in Afghanistan, taking the toll in weather-related deaths to 88, says the United Nations.
The United Nations estimates over 20,000 people across the country have been affected by the heavy rains. Hundreds of homes have also been destroyed after heavy rains and spring snow triggered landslides.
The UN estimates over 20,000 people across the country have been affected.
Afghanistan has been suffering from drought for most of the past decade. The rains have, thus, been welcomed by many despite the devastation.Afghanistan has been suffering from drought for most of the past decade. The rains have, thus, been welcomed by many despite the devastation.
Over 50 people were killed in November 2006 when heavy rains struck, bringing the drought to an end.Over 50 people were killed in November 2006 when heavy rains struck, bringing the drought to an end.
Trespassing watersTrespassing waters
The Kabul river is normally a feeble sight, but since Saturday householders living along its banks have struggled to keep its rising waters at bay. The BBC's Mark Dummett in the capital says the Kabul river is normally a feeble sight, but since Saturday householders living along its banks have struggled to keep its rising waters at bay.
The government has sent trucks to help build up defences, but all they have to work with is mud and plastic sacks.The government has sent trucks to help build up defences, but all they have to work with is mud and plastic sacks.
The river has breached the embankments each of the last three nights, flooding more houses and forcing more families to pile their possessions into lorries and head for drier ground. The river has breached the embankments for several nights, flooding more houses and forcing more families to pile their possessions into lorries and head for drier ground.
A local government official told the BBC that 650 homes have been affected and many traditional mud houses had collapsed.A local government official told the BBC that 650 homes have been affected and many traditional mud houses had collapsed.
News agency Associated Press reports that according to the ministry of rural rehabilitation and development, 19 of the country's 34 provinces have been inundated.
'Good year''Good year'
It's worse elsewhere. In different parts of Afghanistan whole villages have been washed away. In several parts of Afghanistan whole villages have been washed away.
This is the wettest weather in years. Aid agencies are still trying to reach some of the remote areas.
Afghanistan has been suffering from drought for most of the past decade, which explains why many people have built their homes so close to rivers.Afghanistan has been suffering from drought for most of the past decade, which explains why many people have built their homes so close to rivers.
Despite the damage, the majority of Afghans have welcomed these heavy rains. Our correspondent says that despite the damage, the majority of Afghans have welcomed these heavy rains.
They are looking now forward to a good year for the country's farmers.They are looking now forward to a good year for the country's farmers.