Kabul, 1 January. Heavy rainfall and snowfall over the past three days have triggered sudden floods across several provinces in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people and injuring 11 others, according to a spokesperson from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday.
NDMA spokesperson Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Hammad reported that the provinces affected include Kapisa, Parwan, Daykundi, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Helmand, Badghis, Faryab, Badakhshan, Herat, and Farah.
The floods have caused extensive damage to property. Approximately 1,859 homes have been fully or partially destroyed, and around 209 kilometres of rural roads have been washed away. In addition, about 1,200 livestock died, and 13,941 acres of agricultural land were either submerged or ruined.
Hammad said relief and rescue teams have been deployed to the affected areas. Emergency assistance is being provided to the victims, and damage assessments are ongoing.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) launched a humanitarian needs and response plan for Afghanistan in 2026, amounting to 1.71 billion US dollars, on Tuesday. According to OCHA, around 21.9 million people will require humanitarian aid in 2026, which is four percent fewer than in 2025. However, about 17.4 million people are expected to face severe food insecurity, including 4.7 million in emergency phase (IPC Phase 4).
OCHA stated that UN humanitarian partners will prioritise assisting approximately 80 percent of those in need, equating to 17.5 million people, with support including food, shelter, health services, nutrition, clean water, sanitation, and cash assistance.
OCHA further noted that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remains critical due to drought linked to climate change, recurrent floods and earthquakes, disease outbreaks, security risks for women and girls, and the large number of returning refugees.
In 2025 alone, more than 2.61 million Afghan nationals returned from Iran and Pakistan, exerting significant pressure on local communities, basic services, and livelihoods.
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