Devastating Weather in Afghanistan: 148 Lives Lost, 216 Injured in Recent Disasters
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kabul, April 10 (NationPress) In the last two weeks, Afghanistan has witnessed a tragic loss of at least 148 lives and left 216 individuals injured due to severe weather events, including heavy rains, flash floods, landslides, earthquakes, and lightning strikes. This information was reported by local media on Friday, citing updates from Afghan disaster management authorities.
Nangarhar province, located in Eastern Afghanistan, has suffered significantly during this recent bout of extreme weather, with Khaama Press reporting that 24 individuals have died and 33 have been injured there in just the past two days. Many fatalities are attributed to the collapse of roofs, flooding, and storm-related incidents. The reports indicate that nearly 1,149 homes have been destroyed, alongside major damage to roads, farmland, and local infrastructure.
Approximately 7,500 families have been affected, highlighting the humanitarian crisis triggered by seasonal storms in rural and inadequately protected areas. The destruction of key roads has disrupted transport links between Kabul and other provinces, necessitating the airlifting of stranded residents as floodwaters engulfed villages and urban areas.
Weather officials have issued warnings for potentially more severe weather, raising concerns that the toll of casualties and destruction could worsen in the days to come, as reported by Khaama Press. Afghanistan has faced ongoing climate-related disasters in recent years, including floods, earthquakes, and droughts, significantly impacting vulnerable communities.
Additionally, the United Nations has reported that the recent seasonal flooding has resulted in substantial damage across the nation over the past fortnight, as noted by Afghanistan-based Tolo News on Friday.
From March 26 to April 6, heavy rains and subsequent floods affected various communities across multiple provinces, inundating hundreds of villages according to Xinhua News Agency. The disaster has impacted over 73,000 people.
Over 9,000 homes have sustained damage, and more than 15,500 acres of agricultural land have been devastated, raising alarms regarding food security in the affected regions.