KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, now under Taliban control, says that with 11 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, the total number of fatalities from natural disasters in the country has risen to 110 since the 6th of the current solar month (March 25).
Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the authority, said in a video message today (Monday, April 6) that the number of injured people has also increased to 160.
He added that seven more people have gone missing due to rain-related incidents across the country.
The Taliban’s disaster management spokesperson also stated that so far, 958 houses have been completely destroyed and 4,155 others have been partially damaged as a result of natural disasters.
He further noted that rainfall and flooding have also destroyed hundreds of kilometers of roads, agricultural land, water canals, and have caused the loss of livestock.
Over the past ten days, various provinces of Afghanistan have witnessed heavy rainfall and flash floods.
Although the rainfall has raised hopes for reducing drought, the resulting floods have caused significant damage to thousands of families.
It is forecasted that rainfall will continue at least until the 15th of this solar month in various provinces, with the possibility of further flash floods.
Additionally, a recent forecast by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicated that widespread rainfall was expected across Afghanistan between March 30 and April 5, particularly in central, eastern, and southeastern regions, increasing the risk of flash floods.
Beyond the immediate destruction, these incidents also reflect broader environmental challenges facing the country.
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.
This latest drought compounds a pattern of recurring water crises in Afghanistan. According to a report by ACAPS, the country has endured eight major droughts since 1969, including catastrophic events in 2018 and 2021 that affected over 11 million people. Ongoing groundwater depletion is threatening millions more.
These developments highlight the growing vulnerability of communities across Afghanistan to extreme weather events, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, improved disaster preparedness, and long-term climate resilience measures to protect affected populations.
