Flash floods triggered by heavy rains and snowfall have killed at least 17 people and injured 11 across Afghanistan, ending a prolonged dry spell but causing widespread devastation. The disaster has affected 1,800 families, damaged infrastructure and killed livestock in multiple regions. Authorities are conducting assessments amid the country's ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Heavy rains and snowfall broke a prolonged dry spell in Afghanistan, triggering flash floods that have killed at least 17 people and injured 11 others since December 29, 2025. The National Disaster Management Authority reported the casualties, with most occurring in districts across central, northern, southern and western regions, severely disrupting daily life.
In Kabkan district of Herat province, five family members, including two children, died on January 1, 2026, when the roof of their home collapsed under the weight of the weather, according to Mohammad Yousaf Saeedi, spokesman for the Herat Governor. Mohammad Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for the authority, stated that the floods have impacted 1,800 families, destroyed infrastructure and led to livestock losses, worsening conditions in vulnerable urban and rural areas.
Assessment teams have been deployed to the hardest-hit zones to evaluate damage and determine further aid requirements. Afghanistan remains highly susceptible to extreme weather like flash floods due to decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, deforestation and intensifying climate change effects. Many residences, built from mud, provide minimal defense against sudden deluges.
The United Nations and aid agencies warned this week that Afghanistan faces one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in 2026. On December 30, 2025, the UN launched a $1.7 billion appeal to support nearly 18 million people in urgent need, highlighting the compounded vulnerabilities in the region.
