Kabul, Afghanistan—Flash floods killed five people on Wednesday following heavy rainfall. The storms struck multiple provinces in the early morning. Mountain runoff surged into narrow valleys with little warning. Several homes were swept away by the sudden influx of water.

Local villagers attempted to move livestock to higher ground. The pace of the water made many efforts futile. Bridges and main roads have been rendered impassable. Relief groups are struggling to reach the most affected areas due to the debris.

The regional disaster management office has deployed search teams. They are currently focusing on the northern districts. Many families are displaced and have lost all of their belongings. They remain in need of shelter, food, and clean water.

This season has seen more rain than in previous years. Infrastructure in the affected rural areas is minimal. Most buildings are made of mud and stone. They cannot withstand the force of moving floodwater.

Officials warn that the risk remains for the rest of the week. Forecasters expect more storms to move across the mountainous regions. The ground is already saturated and cannot absorb more rainfall. The potential for more landslides is high.

International aid organizations are evaluating the scale of the damage. They are coordinating with local authorities to send supplies. The response is limited by the rugged geography of the country. Coordination remains a challenge.

Community leaders are pleading for urgent assistance. They fear that more lives will be lost if help does not arrive soon. The local economy is crippled by the loss of agricultural land. The situation is increasingly desperate.

Search efforts will continue until all missing persons are located. Families are gathering in safer, elevated parts of the province. No further information on the victims has been released. The region remains on high alert.