Residents in northern Afghanistan are reeling from severe flooding that has killed more than 300 people and left thousands of others injured, with officials warning the number of casualties could continue to rise.

Afghanistan, the war-weary nation that's seen decades of conflict is now in the grip of natural disaster amid a spate of heavy downpours in recent weeks, while severe flash flooding lashed northern regions of the country on Friday, affecting tens of thousands.

In a village of the northern Baghlan province, the streets are full of mud after floods ripped through the area. Many houses have been fully destroyed, while electricity supplies have been cut off and telecommunications disrupted.

Among the many local people who have suffered heartbreak is elderly villager Saheb Gul. Although she and her son survived the deadly floods, they are now left struggling to clean their shelter while mourning the loss of loved ones.

"I was in the town when the floods hit. I had no idea and rushed back home. Then I fainted and can't remember anything," she said.

"I've lost my parents along with my brother. I have never seen such a horrible incident. Only god knows how we feel," said Habibullah Khan, another villager.

The disaster even took the lives of many who do not live in the worst flood-hit areas. Families who had just headed out for some leisure activities were caught up in the devastating catastrophe.

Mohamad Alam said it was a fine Friday afternoon when his family decided to go for a picnic and enjoy a riverside setting. However, the group were tragically caught by surprise as flash floods and rushing waters swept many people away. Only those who were a good distance away at the time survived.

"Twelve of my family members survived the floods but six others died. My three kids and I were in the car with some other family members," he said.

Many survivors are still awaiting tents, food aid, and medical care in the wake of the disaster, but the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority has stated that several affected villages in the flood-zone are currently inaccessible to humanitarian teams due to the damage caused by the flooding.

SHOTLIST:

Baghlan, Afghanistan - May 13, 2024
1. Various of villagers, floodwater, mud;
2. Various of elderly villager; villager talking to reporter;
3. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Saheb Gul, villager:
"I was in the town when the floods hit. I had no idea and rushed back home. Then I fainted and can't remember anything.";
4. SOUNDBITE (Dari) Habibullah Khan, villager:
"I've lost my parents along with my brother. I have never seen such a horrible incident. Only god knows how we feel.";
5. Various of reporter speaking to villagers;
6. SOUNDBITE (Pashto) Mohamad Alam, villager:
"Twelve of my family members survived the floods but six others died. My three kids and I were in the car with some other family members.";
7. Various of villagers, car, truck;
8. Deceased animal among mud, floodwater;
9. Various of villager, child;
10. Reporter walking through mud, floodwater.

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