Western Afghanistan has been struck by a devastating magnitude-6.3 earthquake and a series of unrelenting aftershocks, which has left the region in a depressing situation. According to the nation’s national disaster administration, unfortunately a lot of lives have been lost, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
The Taliban government, overwhelmed by the scope of the catastrophe, reported that more than 2,000 people had died and nearly 9,000 more had been injured. The earthquake-prone mountainous terrain of Afghanistan was shaken by one of the deadliest tremors in recent years with this calamity.
A Seismic Disaster in Afghanistan
The main city in the area and the epicenter of the 6.3 magnitude earthquake were both situated 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Herat. Immediately after this original earthquake, three strong aftershocks with magnitudes of 6.3, 5.9, and even 5.5 occurred. Residents were in a constant state of fear and uncertainty as the ground under them continued to tremble.
Unprecedented Losses: The Human Toll
A stunning number of lives have been lost. A heartbreaking count shows that 2,053 individuals have died, as per Janan Sayeeq, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Disasters. 9,240 people have been hurt, and 1,320 homes have been destroyed or damaged beyond repair. Tragically, four different towns in the Herat province’s Zenda Jan region are among the worst-hit places; these communities are currently coping with immense anguish.
Challenges in the Face of Desolation
There are several difficulties following such a devastating earthquake. As news from isolated areas of a nation severely damaged by decades of violence trickles in, the death toll keeps rising. It is difficult to organize relief and rescue efforts because of the damaged infrastructure.
International assistance and support to Afghanistan
International organisations and groups have organized to provide assistance amid the disorder and hopelessness. 465 homes were reported to have been destroyed and an additional 135 structures to have sustained damage, according to the the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The UN predicts that casualties will increase as long as search and rescue operations are ongoing, especially given the possibility of individuals being buried under the wreckage.
The Humanitarian Response
To transport victims to hospitals, the World Health Organization in Afghanistan has sent 12 ambulance vehicles to Zenda Jan. In hospitals, their employees are working nonstop to treat the injured and assess any extra needs. Ambulances provided by WHO are primarily used to transfer afflicted people, the bulk of which are women and children, to medical facilities.
A Nation on the Edge
The devastated area has been irreversibly impacted by the seismic shockwaves. In Herat, telephone lines have broken, making coordinating and communicating incredibly difficult. Residents have evacuated their houses out of fear of further earthquakes, leaving vacant offices and stores.
Article by Debanjana Talukdar
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