At least 77 people were killed, and 137 others were injured in floods that swept across several provinces of Afghanistan between March 26 and April 4, local media reported on Sunday, quoting disaster management officials.

Afghanistan’s National Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Management Authority said that floods have caused widespread destruction, leaving hundreds of homes destroyed and damaging thousands of acres of agricultural land, the country’s leading news agency,

According to authorities, four people remain missing and over 3,400 houses were damaged in several parts of Afghanistan, demonstrating the scale of destruction caused by heavy rains.

Officials said roads were blocked and transport links were disrupted in several provinces of Afghanistan, which impacted rescue efforts and restricted access to affected people in remote regions.

Earlier, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said over 3,000 ‘jeribs’ (a traditional unit of land measurement) of farmland were destroyed, and more than 1,000 livestock were killed due to the severe weather conditions,

The latest flooding in Afghanistan follows a similar pattern witnessed in the past several rainy seasons when heavy rainfall repeatedly caused devastation across the country. Hundreds of people were killed, and houses and farmlands were devastated in similar floods in 2024.

On January 22, a National Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said that at least 11 people have been killed and three others injured amid heavy snowfall and rains lashing multiple provinces.

According to the spokesperson, initial reports from provincial authorities indicated that severe weather had affected residents in the provinces of eastern Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jawzjan, Faryab, and central Bamiyan,

The storms have partially destroyed nine homes and led to the loss of 530 livestock, severely affecting local livelihoods in these agrarian regions, said the spokesperson, adding that the snow accumulation had blocked key roads, prompting urgent clearance operations by authorities to restore connectivity and facilitate aid delivery.

Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Sunday wrote to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, seeking his intervention for the urgent repatriation of the mortal remains of a Kashmiri youth, Bilal Manzoor Ganie, who passed away in Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, JKSA National Convenor Nasir Khuehami expressed profound grief over the untimely demise of Bilal Manzoor Ganie, a resident of Sogam’ Chountiwari, Lolab, in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The JKSA stated that Bilal had been working in Saudi Arabia for the past one and a half years as a nursing assistant at Aaba International Hospital, where he was pursuing a career in the healthcare sector.

On Saturday (April 4), he tragically suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and was rushed to the same hospital, where doctors declared him ‘brought dead’.

Bilal’s sudden and untimely demise has sent shockwaves across his native village.

“He was widely regarded as a dedicated, hardworking, and compassionate young individual, and his passing has left his family and the entire community devastated and in deep mourning,” the JKSA national convenor said.

The JKSA said it has formally taken up the matter with the External Affairs Minister and sought his intervention to direct the concerned authorities, including the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia and relevant local authorities, to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of Bilal to India to perform the last rites according to the family’s cultural and religious traditions.

The Association acknowledged that such cases involve procedural requirements, legal formalities, documentation, and coordination with authorities in Saudi Arabia, and assured complete cooperation in the process.

The JKSA further stated that it stands “ready to extend every possible assistance, including coordination with the family, hospital authorities, local contacts, and the concerned diplomatic missions, to ensure that the process is carried out smoothly, swiftly, and with due dignity”.

The Association expressed hope for a swift response from the Ministry of External Affairs, while appreciating its continued efforts in assisting Indian citizens abroad during distressing situations.

New Delhi: AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Sunday defended his record of raising Punjab-related issues while responding to recent criticisms from within his party.

Chadha shared a video clip on X from the Rajya Sabha in which he is seen addressing issues related to Punjab, emphasising his commitment to the state.

Raghav Chadha’s Tweet

In his post, he wrote, “To my colleagues in AAP who were forced to issue videos saying that ‘Raghav Chadha failed to raise Punjab’s issues in Parliament’, here is a small trailer…Picture Abhi Baaki Hai. Punjab isn’t a talking point for me. It is my home, my duty, my soil, my soul.”

Earlier on Saturday, Chadha directly addressed the party’s accusations: “I didn’t want to speak up, but if I stayed silent, even the repeatedly repeated lie would start to seem like the truth. Three Allegations. Zero Truth.”

In earlier posts, Chadha responded to three major allegations against him following his removal as AAP’s deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. He posted on X, “I didn’t want to speak up, but if I stayed silent, even the repeatedly repeated lie would start to seem like the truth. Three Allegations. Zero Truth.”

In a video message, Chadha also alleged a “scripted campaign” against him, saying, “The same questions and the same allegations against me. This is no coincidence but a coordinated attack.” He further challenged the claim that he had not supported the opposition during walkouts, stating, “This is a white lie. There are CCTVs all around the Parliament. Anyone can check them to get their answer.”

The dispute highlights rising tensions within AAP, as Chadha seeks to defend his record while the party accuses him of neglecting parliamentary responsibilities. The MP reiterated that his focus remains on Punjab and its people, asserting that he has consistently raised state concerns in the Rajya Sabha and intends to continue doing so.