- Heavy rain and thunderstorms in Nangarhar province caused 35 deaths and injured 230.
- The storms resulted in the collapse of trees, walls, and roofs, leading to significant casualties.
- This disaster follows recent flash floods that devastated agricultural lands and killed hundreds.
Severe thunderstorms struck the Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan on Monday evening, causing heavy rain that led to the deaths of 35 individuals and injuries to 230 others.
This tragic event comes on the heels of previous natural disasters in Afghanistan. In May, flash floods killed hundreds and severely impacted agricultural lands, exacerbating the already dire situation in a country where 80 percent of the population relies on farming for survival.
Deadly Thunderstorms Ravage Eastern Afghanistan, Causing Widespread Devastation
On Monday evening, intense thunderstorms and heavy rain swept through Jalalabad and various districts in the Nangarhar province of eastern Afghanistan. The severe weather event resulted in the tragic deaths of 35 people and left 230 others injured. The rainstorms caused significant structural damage, with many trees, walls, and roofs collapsing under the pressure, leading to the high number of casualties.
Local officials, including Quraishi Badloon, head of the department of information and culture, have indicated that the casualty count may rise as rescue operations continue. Hospitals in the region, such as Nangarhar regional hospital and Fatima-tul-Zahra hospital, are currently overwhelmed with the influx of injured individuals and the bodies of those who lost their lives in the disaster.
This recent calamity follows a series of flash floods in May that wreaked havoc across Afghanistan, killing hundreds and devastating vast areas of agricultural land. The recurring nature of these natural disasters highlights the vulnerabilities of the Afghan infrastructure and the immense challenges faced by communities in disaster-prone regions.
Efforts to mitigate the impact of such disasters are crucial, especially in a country where the majority of the population depends on farming for their livelihood. The continuous cycle of natural calamities not only causes immediate loss of life and property but also threatens long-term food security and economic stability in Afghanistan.
The repeated natural disasters in Afghanistan highlight the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response strategies to protect vulnerable communities and support recovery efforts.
“There is a possibility that casualties might rise,” said Quraishi Badloon, emphasizing the ongoing risk and the critical situation following the storms.
