Afghan leader distributes land among flood-hit victims

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday distributed thousands of residential plots among the inhabitants of western Farah province devastated by the recent flash floods.

Ghani led a high-level official delegation to tour the flood-affected parts of the province, and issued directives for urgent rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

He told local elders the government has completed survey and mapping of the Bakhsh Abad Dam here, and that the construction would commence soon.

According to local officials and various UN agencies, more than 60 people have lost their lives, thousands of others got injured and thousands of homes have been destroyed by the flash floods caused by torrential rain and heavy snowfall.

The recent spell of heavy snowfall and torrential rains has hit the war-ravaged country after a crippling phase of drought. The southern and western Farah, Kandahar and Herat provinces are worst hit.

The Kabul government has mobilized the Afghan National Army for the rescue operations.