KABUL, April 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 157 people have been killed and 229 injured, with nine others missing, after heavy rains triggered widespread flooding and rain-related accidents across Afghanistan over the past two weeks, the country's National Disaster Management Authority said on Thursday.
Torrential downpours have unleashed floods, landslides and house collapses, accompanied by violent thunderstorms and lightning strikes, causing extensive loss of life and severe material damage, the authority said in a statement.
The deluge, which hit remote mountainous provinces particularly hard, completely destroyed 1,229 homes and partially damaged another 5,636, while washing away 18,400 acres of agricultural land and 372 km of roads, it added.
Authorities warned of further heavy rainfall and possible roof collapses through Friday in over 20 out of the country's 34 provinces, urging residents to remain on high alert, mainly in areas near rivers and other flood-prone zones. ■
