Some of the victims of natural disasters accuse the Taliban of incompetence and mismanagement. According to them, this group has been unsuccessful in combating natural disasters and lacks the necessary expertise in this regard. These victims emphasize that Afghanistan is naturally exposed to numerous threats and fundamental steps need to be taken in raising awareness and information production in this regard. These concerns arise as the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, under Taliban control, has announced that in the recent floods over the past few days, 33 people have lost their lives and 27 others have been injured. More than 20 provinces have experienced severe rains and devastating floods over the past four days, destroying people’s livestock and farmlands.
Some of the victims of natural disasters in the country claim that the Taliban lack knowledge and management in this field, and the group’s failure has led to increased human casualties and substantial financial damages. According to them, necessary measures and preparations for natural disaster victims, including floods, should be taken in the spring season.
Mohammadullah, a resident of Ghor province, speaking to the Hasht-e Subh Daily, says that besides lacking expertise in combating and managing natural disasters, the Taliban also do not believe in this matter. According to him, the Taliban claim that anyone who falls victim to floods and other natural disasters is “destined” to be so and they cannot intervene as “servants of God” in this regard.
Several other residents of the country say that Afghanistan is severely affected by climate change issues. If fundamental and serious actions are not taken in this regard, the victims of natural disasters in the country will exceed those of the Taliban’s 20-year killings.
Ainuddin (pseudonym) is a geology student at one of the country’s universities. This geology student says that Afghanistan, which plays no role in producing greenhouse gases and other climate-destructive resources, is considered one of the “most affected” countries in the region. According to him, climate change in the country has also led to changes in the so-called rainy seasons and snowfall. Ainuddin adds: “Drought, changes in weather conditions, air pollution in winter, and devastating floods in the country have unprecedentedly increased the level of casualties and the incidence of various diseases. No one pays attention, and the Taliban have no knowledge or action. Everything is left to God. Suppose the United Nations and aid organizations do not cooperate in this regard. In that case, the casualties of natural disasters will exceed the number of people killed by Taliban suicide attacks in the past 20 years.”
However, Abdul Bari, a resident of Obe district in Herat province, says that the rainfall in this district has been very severe, leading to floods and extensive damage. Mr. Bari adds: “The flood was very severe and caused great damage to the people. Three bridges, which the locals used, have been destroyed, and agricultural lands that were cultivated with wheat and clover have all been washed away. Even the orchards in this district have been severely damaged; the flood has swept away the trees.” He further states that as a result of the floods, most roads in the villages of this district have been closed off.
A resident of Islamabad village in Feroz Nakhchir district, Samangan province, says that about 60 families live in their village, and due to the flooding, more than 30 houses have been destroyed and people have been left homeless. This Samangan resident appeals to the Taliban and aid organizations to seriously assist the affected individuals shelter them and help prevent future incidents.
Furthermore, some residents of Paktika province have reported financial losses due to the floods. According to them, heavy rains and flooding in the Barmal district of this province have caused financial damage.
However, the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority under Taliban control has stated that as a result of the floods in the country, 33 people have lost their lives and 27 others have been injured.
Janan Sayeq, spokesperson for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority under Taliban control, stated in a press conference that individuals in the provinces of Badghis, Oruzgan, Farah, Kandahar, Takhar, Zabul, Parwan, Nangarhar, Helmand, Kabul, Khost, Daykundi, Kunar, Kapisa, Panjshir, Paktia, Paktika, Logar, Laghman, and Herat have lost their lives or been injured. He further declared that as a result of this natural event, 606 houses, 1,950 acres of agricultural land, and 85 kilometers of road have been destroyed, and 200 livestock have perished. According to him, more than a thousand families have been affected.
Local Taliban authorities have confirmed to the media over the past three days that as a result of flooding and landslides, several roads in various areas have been blocked. According to local authorities in Samangan, the Mazar-e-Sharif-Samangan highway was closed due to mountain slides and flooding. The group has urged people to take necessary precautions to prevent human casualties and financial losses.
Concerns are being raised about the Taliban’s mismanagement in dealing with natural disasters in the country, with experts stating that due to climate change, flooding in the country has increased, and deteriorating environmental conditions. They argue that due to the negligence of government officials and the people, Afghanistan has lost its forest cover, leading to an increase in devastating floods.
On the other hand, it is said that the growth of population and the expansion of residential areas and cities in Afghanistan are not based on accepted urban planning criteria and principles, with many people building homes in riverbeds and floodplains, increasing vulnerability.
Experience over the past nearly three years has shown that necessary attention has not been paid by the Taliban in terms of predicting, preventing, and preparedness for disasters after the occurrence of an incident, and people have also not taken meteorological warnings seriously.
Some experts have previously claimed that there is currently no expertise or knowledge of disaster management in the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority. They argue that the Taliban have sidelined specialized and knowledgeable officials and instead employed fighters and their affiliates who lack professional expertise.
