Floods start in March and continue until May. 21 out of 34 provinces in Afghanistan are vulnerable to floods The Western region and central belt are at risk of floods. However the South West and few northern provinces of Afghanistan (Hirat, Ghor, Urozgan, Jozjan, Balkh and Faryab) can severely affected by both, flood and drought.
A characteristic of Afghanistan is that many provinces are affected by multiple hazards and lie under the Multi Hazard High Risk Zone. Earthquake and Landslide are of concern in the northern regions. Being mountainous, these regions have poor accessibility due to geographical conditions and harsh weather that further increasing the vulnerability of populations living in these areas.
Central region of Afghanistan experience recurrent floods and droughts combined with remoteness and insecurity. The southern region is primarily drought prone but also affected by insecurity and active conflict.
Flood and Mud Slide Slow flooding cause s only limited immediate death and injuries. Drowning and fatal injuries are rarely reported and traumatic injuries caused by flooding require only limited health care: small lacerations and punctures due to presence of glass debris and nails. In warm and arid areas increase in the cases of venomous snakebite is expected which may cause small increase in deaths toll. Electric shock and contamination by toxic materials can be one of the concerns, but no records so far of this in Afghanistan.
Sudden massive flooding caused by river breaches, glacial lake outburst, or collapse of dam structure collapse of Bandi Sultan/Ghazni in 2003 can cause many deaths due to drowning and related traumatic injuries. In addition, massive flooding will affect the community from various perspectives like education, water and sanitation, agriculture, health and social life which in general will lead of disempowerment of community and therefore; there would be need to focus on Early Recovery and Community Empowerment.