Afghanistan floods kill 52, NATO flies in aid

Herat (Afghanistan), Nov 18: Heavy flooding has killed at least 52 people in northwestern Afghanistan and left scores more missing this week, and NATO airlifted emergency aid today, officials said.

Governor of badly hit Badghis province Mohammad Nasim Tokhi said at least 50 people were still missing and more than 1,000 people were homeless.

NATO had sent a provincial reconstruction team to the worst hit areas and flew in fresh supplies today.

''It's the things that will help people the most, medical supplies, blankets, the things that will keep them warm at night,'' said NATO spokesman Major Luke Knittig.

''Clothes, food, the basic things that they are going to need if they have found themselves stranded.'' The rains coming at the start of winter have destroyed about ten villages in Badghis and another 150 homes in neighbouring Herat province. There were no early reports of casualties in Herat.

Afghanistan has been hit by heavy snow and rain in recent days.

REUTERS

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