Deadly Storms Devastate Afghanistan: 22 Killed in 24 Hours, Dozens More Feared at Risk

At least 22 people have died across Afghanistan in the past 24 hours as extreme weather, including heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds, swept through several provinces, officials confirmed.

Among the victims, 13 people died in a single tragic incident when the roofs of their homes collapsed under intense rainfall in eastern regions. Authorities said the victims included women and children, highlighting the severe human toll of the disaster.

The wave of severe weather has caused widespread destruction, damaging homes, roads, and farmland. Emergency teams have been dispatched to the hardest-hit areas, but difficult terrain and ongoing storms are hampering rescue efforts.

Officials warned that the death toll could rise, as remote communities remain cut off and many people are still unaccounted for. “We are still receiving reports from rural districts,” a local disaster management official said. “The situation is serious, and more casualties are possible.”

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather due to weak infrastructure and widespread poverty. Many homes, particularly in rural areas, are built with mud and straw and cannot withstand heavy rain or flooding, making roof collapses a frequent and deadly risk.

This latest disaster is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather that has battered the country in recent weeks. Hundreds of families have been displaced, and vital farmland has been destroyed, raising concerns about food security in the coming months.

Aid agencies have called for urgent support as communities struggle to cope with the consequences of the storms. With more rain forecast in the coming days, authorities are urging residents in high-risk areas to take precautions and seek safer shelter.

The tragedy underscores the growing impact of extreme weather events in vulnerable regions, where even a short period of heavy rain can quickly turn deadly.