SARI PUL, Afghanistan, May 18 (Xinhua) — At least 24 people were killed Wednesday after floods triggered by monsoon rains hit a remote area in Afghanistan’s northern province of Sari Pul, said the provincial governor.

“A total of 10 persons were also injured and nearly 40 others went missing after the natural disaster hit Kohistanat district at early hours of the day. The flooding that hit several villages also destroyed over 200 houses in the district,” Governor Zahir Wahdat told Xinhua.

The flood also washed away hundreds of gardens and thousands of acres of farmlands, the governor said, adding the number of casualties was likely to rise.

Several women and children were among the victims. The villagers had launched search and rescue operations alone to help the victims as the district is under Taliban control and government troops have no presence there.

However, the Afghan Red Crescent officials tried to dispatch rescue teams and humanitarian aid to the district, according to locals.

More than 70 people lost their lives by rainfall and floods over the past couple of weeks across the mountainous country.