KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN has warned that an extreme heatwave is expected to hit Afghanistan in the coming days, with temperatures forecast to rise well above normal levels.
In a post on social media Wednesday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said temperatures between July 1 and 3 could rise 2 to 10°C above average in many parts of the country.
According to UNAMA, the southern, eastern, and northern regions are expected to be hit hardest, with daytime temperatures likely to exceed 45°C.
UNAMA says the soaring heat poses serious threats to human health, livestock, and agriculture. Communities lacking access to reliable shelter, water, or cooling systems face heightened risk.
Afghanistan has faced worsening climate conditions in recent years. Prolonged droughts, low rainfall, and rising temperatures have devastated crops, drained water sources, and deepened food insecurity.
The UN ranks Afghanistan among the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change, despite its minimal contribution to global emissions.
The UN and aid agencies have repeatedly called for increased climate adaptation funding for Afghanistan, warning that the combined effects of conflict, poverty, and environmental stress are endangering lives across the country.
