KABUL AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, now under Taliban control, says that at least 13 people have died and 13 others have been injured across the country in the past 24 hours due to heavy rainfall and resulting floods.
Mohammad Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for the authority, said in a video message today (Sunday, April 5) that the casualties were recorded in the provinces of Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Daikundi, Paktia, Paktika, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Zabul, Uruzgan, Kandahar, Herat, Nimroz, Ghor, Badghis, Samangan, Takhar, Badakhshan, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar.
He added that with these figures, the total number of deaths caused by rainfall, floods, earthquakes, and landslides since March 26 has risen to 99, while the number of injured has reached 154 across the country.
The Taliban’s disaster management spokesperson also said that during this period, 955 houses have been completely destroyed and 3,999 houses have been partially damaged.
He further noted that rainfall and floods have also destroyed hundreds of kilometers of roads and agricultural land.
Various provinces of Afghanistan have been experiencing heavy rainfall and flooding since March 26.
Snowfall has also been reported in some parts of the country during this period.
Although the heavy rainfall has raised hopes for reducing drought, it has also caused significant damage.
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 increasing vulnerability of communities across Afghanistan to natural disasters, especially in the absence of strong infrastructure and emergency response systems, making timely humanitarian assistance and preparedness efforts more critical than ever.
