KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Energy and Water warned on Saturday that heavy rainfall expected on Sunday and Monday could trigger flooding and rising river levels across 12 provinces in the country.
In a statement on X, the ministry listed Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Farah, Nimroz, Helmand, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, Paktika, Khost, and Paktia as provinces at risk.
Authorities urged residents to avoid rivers and low-lying areas prone to flooding and to take precautions to protect their families and property.
The warning follows weeks of heavy precipitation that have already caused casualties and damage. At least 12 people were killed and 11 others injured after recent flooding across 11 provinces. Last month, snow and rain reportedly killed 61 people and injured at least 110 others, according to the Taliban, while roads, homes, and infrastructure were damaged.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to sudden floods, especially in its mountainous regions. In 2022, torrential rains and flash floods killed more than 600 people and caused billions of dollars in damage. The Hindu Kush region, which spans much of northern and central Afghanistan, frequently experiences flash floods and glacial lake outbursts.
