KABUL: The death toll from heavy rains in eastern Afghanistan rose to 47 on Tuesday, according to local officials. The intense storms that struck the Nangarhar province on Monday evening resulted in widespread destruction, injuring 350 people and causing significant property damage.
Saifullah Khalid, head of Nangarhar’s disaster management authority, confirmed the updated toll and reported that approximately 400 homes had been demolished by the torrents. The fierce weather swept away trees and caused the collapse of walls and roofs of buildings, leaving many families homeless and in urgent need of aid.
This tragedy follows the devastating flash floods in May that killed hundreds and inundated vast areas of agricultural land. Afghanistan, one of the world’s poorest countries, is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which scientists say is leading to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. The country’s mainly agrarian society, with 80 percent of the population dependent on farming for survival, faces significant challenges in the wake of these natural disasters.
This year, Afghanistan experienced an unusually wet spring following a very dry winter, exacerbating the risk of floods. The Taliban government, which regained control in 2021, regularly announces support for those affected by natural disasters. However, the withdrawal of most foreign missions and aid organizations has severely limited the assistance available to Afghans, compounding the difficulties in responding to such crises effectively.
