Afghanistan Reels from Devastating Weather Event: 61 Dead, 110 Injured Over 3 Days
A crippling storm has brought widespread destruction and chaos across Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 61 people and leaving over 100 injured in just three days. The National Disaster Management Authority has reported that 458 homes have been completely or partially destroyed, while hundreds of animals have perished in the disaster.
The region is no stranger to extreme weather events, which often prove deadly due to its vulnerability to flash floods and snowfall. In 2024 alone, more than 300 people lost their lives in springtime flash floods. Decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation, and climate change have amplified the impact of such disasters, particularly in rural areas where homes are often built with mud, leaving little protection against sudden deluges or heavy snowfall.
The eastern provinces, still reeling from devastating earthquakes that struck last year, continue to struggle. The quakes destroyed villages and claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, displacing thousands who remain vulnerable to extreme cold and bad weather conditions. According to UNICEF, an estimated 270,000 children in affected areas are at risk of life-threatening diseases related to the cold.
The situation has been described as "one of the world's largest humanitarian crises" by the United Nations, which has launched a $1.7 billion appeal to assist nearly 18 million people in need. The UN's warning comes as Afghanistan faces an uncertain future amidst ongoing conflict and economic struggles.
A crippling storm has brought widespread destruction and chaos across Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 61 people and leaving over 100 injured in just three days. The National Disaster Management Authority has reported that 458 homes have been completely or partially destroyed, while hundreds of animals have perished in the disaster.
The region is no stranger to extreme weather events, which often prove deadly due to its vulnerability to flash floods and snowfall. In 2024 alone, more than 300 people lost their lives in springtime flash floods. Decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation, and climate change have amplified the impact of such disasters, particularly in rural areas where homes are often built with mud, leaving little protection against sudden deluges or heavy snowfall.
The eastern provinces, still reeling from devastating earthquakes that struck last year, continue to struggle. The quakes destroyed villages and claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, displacing thousands who remain vulnerable to extreme cold and bad weather conditions. According to UNICEF, an estimated 270,000 children in affected areas are at risk of life-threatening diseases related to the cold.
The situation has been described as "one of the world's largest humanitarian crises" by the United Nations, which has launched a $1.7 billion appeal to assist nearly 18 million people in need. The UN's warning comes as Afghanistan faces an uncertain future amidst ongoing conflict and economic struggles.