Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Heavy rain and hailstorms have struck several provinces in Afghanistan, claiming dozens of lives. Reports indicate that at least 39 people have died as a result of the disaster.
According to AFP on Thursday (February 27, 2025), Afghanistan’s disaster management officials confirmed that 39 people were killed due to heavy rains and hailstorms in three provinces.
Earlier, flash floods hit the western border province of Farah on Tuesday, sweeping away 21 people. The victims were reportedly members of two families who were vacationing when the hailstorm struck.
“Twenty-one people were killed and six others were injured due to the hailstorm in western Farah province,” said Mohammad Israel Sayar, head of Farah’s Provincial Disaster Management Department, as reported by AFP on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.
Meanwhile, in the same province, three more people lost their lives when the hailstorm caused their houses to collapse.
Meanwhile in eastern Afghanistan, six people were killed in Helmand province, including a child who was struck by lightning. Further south, in Kandahar province, the local disaster management department reported in a statement that eight people, including women and children, were killed in multiple locations due to the heavy rain.
Climate Crisis
Extreme weather events linked to climate change frequently impact Afghanistan. The recent torrential rains and hailstorms in Afghanistan have turned into a deadly catastrophe.
Officials stated that the heavy rains, despite their devastation, might help alleviate long-term drought conditions in several provinces, including flood-stricken Farah.
“Rain and snow continue to fall across most provinces, reducing drought conditions,” said Abdullah Jan Sayeq, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority.
“This could help enrich water infrastructure, improve agriculture, and have a positive impact on livestock,” he added.
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Climate Vulnerable Country
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s poorest countries after decades of conflict and is highly vulnerable to climate change. It ranks as the sixth most climate-vulnerable country.
According to the United Nations, drought, flooding, land degradation, and declining agricultural productivity are among the nation’s biggest threats.
As Afghanistan grapples with the devastating hailstorms, officials continue to assess the damage and provide aid to affected communities. However, with climate change driving increasingly extreme weather patterns, the country remains highly vulnerable to future disasters.
(Raidi/Agung)
