33 people killed in Afghanistan due to heavy rain and flash floods | Global News

At least 33 people have tragically lost their lives in Afghanistan due to heavy rains and flash flooding over the past three days, according to the government’s disaster management department. The devastating floods have also left 27 people injured and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure.

The department’s spokesman, Janan Sayeq, stated, “From Friday onward, because of the rains there were flash floods which caused high human and financial losses.” The majority of the casualties were a result of roof collapses, with approximately 600 houses being damaged or destroyed. Additionally, nearly 600 kilometers of road were demolished, and around 2,000 acres of farmland were washed away.

The heavy rains have affected around 20 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, following an unusually dry winter season that parched the terrain and delayed planting for farmers. The situation is further exacerbated by the decrease in foreign aid since the Taliban regained power in 2021, hindering relief efforts in response to natural disasters.

This recent tragedy adds to the toll of previous weather-related incidents in the country, including a landslide in February that claimed 25 lives and a spate of precipitation in March that resulted in around 60 fatalities. The United Nations has warned of major swings in extreme weather conditions in Afghanistan, attributing them to climate change and the country’s lack of preparedness due to decades of conflict.