Continued heavy rains and floods have claimed the lives of 15 people and destroyed hundreds of houses in Balkh province 305 km north of capital city of Kabul, a local official said. "At least 15 people died and several others injured in Sholgara and Goshinda districts over the past two days due to heavy rains and flooding," head of provincial council, Mohammad Afzal Adieb said. More than 300 houses have been destroyed and over 1,000 houses damaged in two districts by the natural disaster, he said. Recent floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains have left over 40 people dead and several hundred houses destroyed across the country.