KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban Ministry of Natural Disaster Management reports that 33 people have died and 27 others have been injured due to heavy rains and floods across Afghanistan in recent days.
During a press conference on Sunday, April 14, the Taliban spokesperson for the ministry, Janan Sayeq, said that in addition to casualties, the recent flooding has destroyed around 606 houses and damaged 1,950 hectares of agricultural land.
According to the Taliban spokesman, thousands of families have been displaced, and approximately 200 livestock have died due to the recent floods in several provinces of the country.
He also reported that since the start of the month, emergency aid has been provided to over 22,000 vulnerable and impoverished families in cooperation with national and international organizations.
Earlier today, local Taliban authorities in eastern Nangarhar province reported that at least two children were killed and two others injured due to the collapse of a house caused by rainfall in the province.
At the same time, Taliban authorities in southern Kandahar province report that recent rainfall has demolished 146 homes across the city and in the districts of the province. They also stated that, in addition, 243 sheep died, and numerous solar panels were destroyed due to strong winds.
Afghanistan has been grappling with incessant heavy rains and flooding in recent weeks, resulting in the deaths and injuries of dozens of people in many provinces. It has also claimed the lives of thousands of livestock and caused significant financial losses for the already impoverished population.
The country is among the most vulnerable countries against natural disasters, including floods, earthquakes, avalanches, landslides and drought. It is also among the poorest in the world, burdened by decades of war, prone to natural disasters, and susceptible to extreme weather events associated with climate change.
The heavy rainfall and snowfall this year follow several years of severe drought, which significantly affected agricultural production throughout the country.
The recent heavy rainfall and flooding in Afghanistan have also caused the disruption of many transportation routes and key highways across the country.
The Taliban Ministry of Disaster Management warned of the potential for increased flood casualties, as well as the likelihood of further snow and rain precipitation causing flooding in the coming days.
These natural disasters highlight the vulnerability of the population since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021. The country is struggling with the world’s worst humanitarian crisis amid shrinking international aid commitments.
According to the UN, more than half of Afghanistan’s population, totaling over 23.7 million people, urgently require lifesaving aid this year. The organization appealed for $3 billion in funding but has received only 6% of the requested amount thus far.
