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Afghanistan Floods Kill 77, Damage Vital Highways
6 Apr
Summary
- Seventy-seven people died and 137 were injured due to storms.
- Thousands of homes were destroyed, and hundreds of miles of roads damaged.
- Major highways, including Kabul-Jalalabad and Salang Pass, are impassable.
Extreme weather, including heavy rain, storms, flooding, landslides, and lightning, has caused devastation across Afghanistan over the past ten days. The country's Disaster Management Authority reported 77 fatalities and 137 injuries as of Saturday. More than 5,800 families have been affected, with 793 homes completely destroyed and an additional 2,673 damaged.
Essential infrastructure has also suffered significant damage. Approximately 337 kilometers of roads have been destroyed, forcing lengthy detours for travelers. Highways connecting the capital, Kabul, to provincial areas, including the crucial Kabul to Jalalabad route and the Salang Pass in the Hindu Kush mountains, are impassable. Crews are working to clear debris and reopen these vital arteries.
Afghanistan, an impoverished nation, remains highly vulnerable to such extreme weather events. This year alone, dozens have perished due to harsh conditions, with recent events adding to a toll that included significant deaths from heavy snowfall and flash floods earlier in the year. Authorities have warned the public to stay clear of riverbanks and flood-prone areas as further rain is anticipated.
