Herat, Afghanistan—The rivers surged suddenly, catching residents off guard. Eleven people sustained injuries as flash floods tore through the western provinces of Herat and Ghor. Emergency services have been deployed to the area, but the rough terrain is making their job difficult.

The storms began as heavy rain, quickly escalating into dangerous torrents. Several villages in the path of the floods were caught by surprise. Houses built near seasonal riverbeds have been partially submerged, forcing families to flee to higher ground.

Local medical facilities are treating the injured for broken bones and respiratory issues caused by the floodwaters. Most of the victims were trying to rescue livestock or salvage household goods when the flash floods hit. The hospitals are reporting a surge in admissions.

Infrastructure in both provinces is buckling under the pressure. Bridges that have withstood years of normal flow are now compromised. Travel between districts has become a gamble. Some roads are simply gone, swept away by the force of the water.

Disaster management officials issued a warning for continued rain. They suggest that the mountainous geography of Ghor is particularly at risk for landslides. People living in mud-brick houses have been told to move, but many refuse to abandon their property.

The economic impact is mounting by the hour. Fields of wheat and other crops are underwater. This is a crucial time of year for local farmers. A destroyed harvest means a winter of hunger for many in the region.

Aid organizations are watching the situation closely. They are prepositioning supplies in the city centers, but delivering them to the outskirts is a logistical nightmare. The lack of reliable communication makes coordinating the rescue effort even harder.

Families are gathering their remaining belongings, uncertain if they will have a home to return to. The atmosphere in the displacement zones is desperate. There is no clear timeline for when the rains will stop.