ASIA - Deaths and dozens scattered due to the floods in Afghanistan and Nepal

Kabul (Agenzia Fides) - At least 24 people have died in Sang Charak district, province of Sari Pul in northern Afghanistan, due to the heavy rains that hit the area where such natural disasters had never occurred. One hundred homes and 500 head of cattle were swept away. However, according to other versions, the number of missing people seems to be higher: more than 60. The infrastructure and poor houses in Afghanistan, particularly in remote areas, increase the risk when the rains are heavy. In addition, the spring thaw has been particularly problematic because of heavy snow in winter, the heaviest in the last 17 years, according to authorities. In 2012 more than a hundred people in the country died, victims of avalanches. Even in Nepal, despite the absence of rain in recent days, 60 people are among the victims and those missing due to the sudden flood of the Seti River. Rescuers are still digging in the rubble. The tragedy occurred on Saturday near the tourist town of Pokhara, 120 kilometers west of Kathmandu. Second in Nepal after Kathmandu, Pokhara is popular with tourists climbing the mountain of Annapurna, the tenth highest peak in the world. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 08/05/2012)