UN Mission In Afghanistan On Standby For Flooding

UN Mission In Afghanistan On Standby For Potential Flooding

After the harshest winter and heaviest snowfalls in years cut off supplies for tens of thousands of Afghans, the United Nations mission in the country is on alert for potential flooding that could affect up to 100,000 people.

“With the weather warming up, snow melting and heavy rains, the rising level of water in many Afghan rivers is now being closely monitored, as it is far higher than seasonal levels,” UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA spokesperson Ariane Quentier told a news briefing today in Kabul, the Afghan capital.

“Although no large-scale floods are currently happening the rising levels of water could signal a deterioration of the situation,” she added of seven high-risk zones in the country. Pre-positioning and response mechanisms have been put in place both at the central and provincial levels, bringing together all those who may offer a valuable contribution in case of floods.

Weekly meetings of the Disaster Response Committee, comprising UNAMA, Afghan ministries and coalition forces of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are monitoring the situation.

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