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.