Afghanistan Hit by Deadly Weather: 17 Killed in Floods and Landslides

Devastating weather conditions across Afghanistan have claimed 17 lives and injured 26 others in a 24-hour period. Flooding, landslides, and severe thunderstorms damaged hundreds of homes and destroyed miles of roadway, with more dangerous weather expected.

KABUL, Afghanistan — Devastating weather conditions across Afghanistan have resulted in 17 fatalities and 26 injuries within a single 24-hour period, with forecasters warning of additional dangerous storms approaching, officials announced Sunday. This marks the most recent tragedy in what has been a particularly deadly weather season for the war-torn nation.

According to Yousuf Hammad, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, the death toll may climb higher as emergency response teams continue assessing damage across impacted regions. The catastrophic weather struck 13 of the country’s 34 provinces, primarily affecting western, central, and northwestern territories.

“The severe weather also left 147 homes either completely or partially destroyed, wiped out 80 kilometers (about 50 miles) of roads and destroyed agricultural land and irrigation canals and businesses,” Hammad said. He reported that 530 families have been impacted by the destruction.

Weather forecasters predict additional heavy rainfall will strike eastern and central regions Monday, prompting Hammad to caution about potential flooding in these areas. Emergency management officials have issued warnings for residents to stay away from riverbanks and flood-prone zones, while directing local authorities to prepare immediate assistance.

Afghanistan experienced similar deadly weather events earlier this year when heavy snowfall and flash flooding resulted in multiple fatalities nationwide.

The mountainous country faces extreme vulnerability to severe weather patterns, including snow and torrential rains that create deadly flash floods, frequently claiming dozens or hundreds of lives. Spring flooding alone killed more than 300 people in 2024.

Years of warfare, combined with inadequate infrastructure, economic hardship, widespread deforestation, and worsening climate change impacts have made such disasters increasingly catastrophic, especially in isolated communities where mud-brick homes provide little defense against sudden flooding or heavy snow.