The families of flood victims in Afghanistan are mourning the loss of loved ones following a spate of deadly flooding, with affected residents urging the Taliban-led government and international relief organizations to help relocate them to safer areas amid fears further disaster could be on the way.
Flash floods swept across several regions of central and northern Afghanistan in early May, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing countless others.
One of the worst affected areas was the Sheikh Jalal village in the northeastern province of Baghlan, which saw over 40 people killed and dozens of others severely injured. At least 200 houses were destroyed, and several victims are still reported missing.
Local resident Saheb Khan, who was married just eight months ago, said his family were hit by tragedy during the devastating floods.
"I was able to rescue five family members but unfortunately four of my loved ones lost their lives. The floods destroyed our house, but I saved myself and five other family members," said Khan.
Khan's family was already living a hard life. Like thousands of others in the villages of the Markazi Baghlan District, they lack clean drinking water, electricity and other essential needs, and the fear of another flood is only prolonging their psychological trauma.
Khan's mother Noor Begum is still grieving the tragic loss of loved ones. Though the surviving family members all want to be together, they know they will have to find a much safer place to house them.
"I saw the floods hit neighboring houses. I was barely able to rush toward the upper side of the house, to a side room in the corner. I saw the children but wasn't able to reach them," said Begum.
Many affected families are now living in tents provided by relief organizations, and they all have heart wrenching stories to tell.
"I was standing, stuck in the floods, desperately trying to rescue my baby. My child was floating in the water," said Gul Dasta, another flood survivor.
Victims are urging local authorities and other relief agencies to provide support by relocating them to more suitable shelters, with many still scarred by the impact of the disaster they faced.
Grief-stricken Afghan survivors call for more support amid fears of more flooding
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
