Heavy rainfall, which caused widespread flooding in Badakhshan in Afghanistan’s far north-east, has resulted in heavy financial losses for local residents, officials said Thursday.

At least seven people lost their lives as a result of the floods and over 100 houses have been destroyed completely in the floods, Badakhshan governor’s spokesman Nek Mohammad Nazari said.

“At least 100 families (affected) have been identified but the number is more than this. So far, we have not received the results of an exact survey. At least seven people have been killed including women and children,” he said.

Nazari said the local government has started providing assistance to the affected families. 

Those who travel from Badakhshan to Takhar said the highway between the two provinces has been closed to traffic for the past two days due to the floods.

“Rainfall and floods have inflicted heavy damages to Badakhshan residents. The roads are closed to traffic between Kishm (district) and Faizabad (city),” said Sebghatullah, one traveler.

“At least 12 to 15 houses have been destroyed. The road was closed to traffic for more than three hours. The floods have also damaged agricultural lands,” said Feda Mohammad, a resident of Badakhshan.

A police officer in Badakhshan meanwhile claimed that the floods have damaged police outposts in the province.

“The base here was built one year ago but its perimeter walls were not built despite a contract being signed. The floods have damaged this base,” said Nabiullah, a police officer.

The floods affected 12 other provinces in the country during which over 60 people lost their lives.