At least 39 people have died due to heavy rainfall, hailstorms, and flash floods across three Afghan provinces, disaster management officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Flash floods in western Farah province swept away 21 people on Tuesday, while three more lost their lives when a hailstorm caused their house to collapse. In Helmand province, six people were killed, including a child struck by lightning. In southern Kandahar, nine people, including women and children, died in several locations due to heavy rains.
In a tragic incident, four women washing clothes were carried away by floodwaters, with only one managing to survive, according to local officials.
Afghanistan has faced prolonged drought conditions, including in flood-hit Farah, which has struggled with water shortages since 2018. The recent extreme weather, while easing drought conditions, has also caused significant human and financial losses.
“It’s constantly raining and snowing in most provinces, which has reduced the drought,” said Abdullah Jan Sayeq, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority. “This will enrich the water infrastructure, improve agriculture, and have a positive impact on livestock.”
Afghanistan, one of the world’s poorest nations after decades of conflict, remains highly vulnerable to climate change. Scientists warn that extreme weather events, such as the flash floods that killed 100 people in May last year, are becoming more frequent. With 80% of Afghans reliant on agriculture for survival, the country faces growing challenges in adapting to an increasingly unstable climate.