KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Local Taliban officials in Nangarhar say that as a result of the collapse of a house roof in the Sherzad district, seven members of one family, including women and children, have died.
Quraishi Badloon, head of information for the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Nangarhar, said that the incident occurred last night (Tuesday, April 7) in the “Kami Tarmi” area of Sherzad district.
He stated that the cause of the incident was heavy rainfall.
The head of information for the Taliban’s Department of Information and Culture in Nangarhar added that with these deaths, the total number of casualties from rainfall and flooding over the past two days in the province has reached 24 dead and 33 injured.
In recent days, several incidents of people losing their lives due to the collapse of house roofs have been reported in Nangarhar.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department of the Taliban’s Ministry of Transport and Aviation has forecast rainfall and possible flooding in 16 provinces across the country.
According to the department’s forecast, tomorrow (Thursday, April 9), the provinces of Jawzjan, Faryab, Badghis, Sar-e Pol, Herat, Ghor, Daikundi, Bamyan, Parwan, Panjshir, Baghlan, Samangan, Balkh, Badakhshan, Nuristan, and Kunar are expected to experience rainfall.
The department has predicted rainfall levels between 10 to 30 millimeters in these provinces.
It also warned of strong winds with speeds ranging from 50 to 75 kilometers per hour in central and northwestern provinces, as well as the possibility of snowfall in high-altitude and colder regions.
Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had reported seven days ago that heavy rainfall and the resulting floods across 11 provinces had killed a number of citizens and caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
The mission had stated that the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the International Organization for Migration, and other humanitarian agencies were present in affected areas to conduct rapid assessments and provide urgent assistance.
Such incidents highlight the vulnerability of many rural homes in Afghanistan, where heavy rainfall and flooding can easily damage poorly constructed structures, leading to tragic losses, particularly among women and children.
Afghanistan has experienced several consecutive years of reduced rainfall and severe drought, largely driven by climate change. While some areas have seen snowfall and rainfall this winter, overall precipitation levels are still considered below the long-term average.
