PRTs helping Afghan villagers affected by flooding

By Panjshir PRT Public AffairsAugust 11, 2010

PRT members assess flood damage
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Aug. 11, 2010) -- The Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team is aiding villagers affected by flooding that started Aug. 4 in the Abdullah Khel Valley of northeast Afghanistan.

In a neighboring province just to the south, Laghman PRT civil engineers are surveying erosion along the Kamissari Road and flood damage to a key bridge on the road.

Heavy rainfall in this mountainous region of Afghanistan led to flooding and severe erosion of the riverbanks and valley roads. Some roads became impassable and some farm land flooded along the rivers, PRT members said.

"Some of these roads get washed away several times a year, and the villagers rebuild them," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Phillip Baker, Panjshir PRT civil engineer and San Antonio native. "My job is to evaluate the historical trends and educate the people on ways to make their infrastructure more sustainable."

The PRT is providing emergency humanitarian assistance including flour, rice and beans to families affected by the flooding in the valley. Afghan National Security Forces are assisting villagers by transporting them through the valley.

The PRT is working closely with the Dara District Governor, Malam Sorab, and the Afghan National Security Forces to repair the infrastructure that was damaged during the flooding, team members said.

Vehicle traffic cannot travel the roads due to the damage, stranding almost 20,000 Afghans. The provincial reconstruction team is assisting the district government with heavy equipment in order to repair the roads.

"The road contractor agreed to repair the entire road to Abdullah Khel due to the good relationship the contractor has with the PRT and district government in Dara," said Spc. Allison Cherkosly, a Clifton Park, N.Y., native and Panjshir PRT civil affairs member.

The PRT and Afghan forces are working to restore access to the basic necessities the villagers need, said PRT officials. They said the cleanup effort is expected to take about 30 days.

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