Afghanistan Flash Floods Claim 39 Lives as Death Toll Continues to Rise

The death toll from heavy rainfall and flash floods in Afghanistan has reached 39, with fatalities reported across three provinces. The western province of Farah has been the hardest hit, accounting for 21 of the deaths.
According to reports from AFP and Gulf Today on Thursday, February 27, the death toll has increased by 10, following more devastating flash floods caused by continuous heavy rains in the region. On Tuesday, flash floods swept through Farah province, resulting in 21 deaths. In addition, three more people perished when their homes collapsed due to severe hailstorms.
Nasrullah, a 50-year-old farmer from Farah, shared his grief, saying, “Everything I had was destroyed in this devastating flood. My farm and all the land have been inundated.” Another farmer, Mohammad Ibrahim, 60, described the intensity of the storm, stating, “In my 60 years of life, I have never seen such wind, rain, and storms. The storm was so powerful that the fences were thrown 30-35 meters away, and everything made of wood was blown away.”
In Helmand province, lightning strikes killed six people, including one child. Kandahar province also saw nine fatalities.
While the heavy rainfall has caused widespread destruction, it has also brought some relief to the drought-affected areas. Afghan authorities have noted that the continuous rainfall could lead to improved conditions, particularly in Farah, which has long suffered from drought.
Abdullah Jan Saik, a spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, commented that the ongoing rains and snowfall are helping reduce the drought and are expected to improve water infrastructure. This, in turn, could positively impact agriculture and livestock in the affected provinces.