At least 61 people have died and more than 100 others have been injured across Afghanistan over the past three days due to heavy snowfall and torrential rain, authorities said, highlighting the country’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events.
Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said severe weather conditions have disrupted daily life across large parts of the country, blocking major highways and leaving many areas without electricity.
NDMA spokesperson Yusuf Hammad said that the fatalities were reported in 15 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, with 110 people injured so far. He added that 458 homes have been partially or completely destroyed, while hundreds of livestock have perished as a result of the harsh weather.
“The death toll may rise further as more information is received from remote provinces,” Hammad warned.
Authorities in Parwan province, north of Kabul, confirmed the closure of the Salang Highway, one of Afghanistan’s most vital transport routes. The highway serves as a critical link between the capital and the country’s northern provinces, and its closure has further complicated rescue and relief efforts.
Climate Vulnerability and Humanitarian Crisis:Heavy snowfall and rainfall frequently trigger flash floods across Afghanistan, often with deadly consequences. Last year alone, sudden flooding killed more than 300 people nationwide.
Experts say the impact of such natural disasters has intensified due to decades of conflict, weak infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation, and the accelerating effects of climate change.
For years, a large portion of Afghanistan’s population has relied heavily on international aid. However, humanitarian assistance has declined in recent years. According to the United Nations, nearly half of Afghanistan’s population of around 40 million people will require humanitarian assistance this year.
As extreme weather events become more frequent and aid resources shrink, concerns are mounting over Afghanistan’s ability to cope with future disasters.
Source: Dawn.