Kabul, March 30: Heavy rainfall in Afghanistan has resulted in tragic incidents over the past 24 hours, claiming at least 17 lives and injuring 26 others.
According to Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Hamad, spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority, the severe weather led to flash floods, landslides, and lightning strikes across various regions, including Parwan, Daykundi, Wardak, and Logar provinces.
The floods have caused significant damage, with 147 homes reported destroyed, 80 kilometers of road washed away, and 582 acres of agricultural land affected. Additionally, 31 irrigation canals and networks have been impacted. Hamad noted that this information is preliminary, and assessments are ongoing.
He warned that the death toll may rise as more information becomes available. The Afghanistan Meteorological Department has forecasted further rainfall in the coming days, increasing the risk of flooding in mountainous and vulnerable areas.
Earlier, on January 22, the authority reported that heavy snowfall and rain had already led to the deaths of at least 11 people, with three others injured.
Initial reports indicate that adverse weather has affected provinces such as Parwan, Wardak, southern Kandahar, northern Jawzjan, Faryab, and central Bamiyan. Storms have partially destroyed nine homes and resulted in the death of 530 livestock, severely impacting the livelihoods of those in these agricultural regions. Many major roads have been blocked due to snow, prompting urgent action from authorities to clear them.
Last October, heavy rains and sudden floods had already affected 721 families in Kabul, Logar, and Kapisa provinces.
Spokesperson Mohammad Yunus Hamad stated that several homes were completely or partially destroyed, with over a thousand acres of agricultural land washed away, causing significant losses for fruit producers. Additionally, several kilometers of roads have been damaged.
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