Severe Snow and Rain Claim Over 60 Lives Across Afghanistan, Villages Cut Off

Kabul | January 24, 2026 Heavy snowfall and continuous rainfall over the last three days have caused widespread destruction across Afghanistan, killing at least 61 people and injuring 110 others, according to the country’s National Disaster Management Authority. The extreme weather has hit 15 out of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, leaving many remote villages inaccessible and worsening the humanitarian situation in the already fragile nation. Disaster management spokesperson Yousaf Hammad said that along with the casualties, around 458 houses have been fully or partially damaged, while hundreds of livestock have also perished. He added that the figures could rise as authorities continue to collect information from affected provinces. Rescue teams are facing major challenges in reopening blocked roads and reaching isolated communities due to heavy snow accumulation. Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with heavy rain and snowfall often triggering flash floods. In recent years, such disasters have caused large-scale loss of life, including more than 300 deaths during spring floods in 2024. Long years of conflict, weak infrastructure, deforestation, economic hardship, and the growing impact of climate change have made rural areas especially exposed, where many homes are built with mud and offer little protection against harsh weather. The situation is even more serious in eastern Afghanistan, where communities are still recovering from powerful earthquakes that struck last year, killing over 2,200 people. Many families displaced by those quakes are now facing severe cold. In December, UNICEF warned that around 270,000 children in quake-affected areas were at “severe risk of life-threatening diseases related to the cold.” Earlier this month, the United Nations also said Afghanistan would “remain one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in 2026,” launching a $1.7 billion appeal to help nearly 18 million people in urgent need. Deadly Snow and Rain Batter Afghanistan, Dozens Killed as Villages Remain Cut Off Heavy snowfall and rainfall over the past three days have caused major devastation across Afghanistan, killing at least 61 people and leaving 110 injured, officials said on January 24, 2026. The extreme weather has affected 15 provinces, making rescue work difficult as several remote villages remain unreachable due to blocked roads. The National Disaster Management Authority said around 458 homes were either fully or partially damaged, and hundreds of animals also died in the disaster. Officials warned that the death toll may rise as reports continue to come in from distant areas. Emergency teams are struggling to clear snow and restore access in the worst-hit regions. Afghanistan is especially prone to harsh weather, with heavy rain and snow often leading to flash floods. In recent years, such events have taken hundreds of lives. Poor infrastructure, years of conflict, deforestation and climate change have increased the damage, especially in rural areas where many houses are made of mud and offer little protection. The crisis is deeper in eastern provinces still recovering from deadly earthquakes last year. Displaced families are facing severe cold, and UNICEF has warned that nearly 270,000 children are at “severe risk of life-threatening diseases related to the cold.” The United Nations has also said Afghanistan will “remain one of the world's largest humanitarian crises in 2026,” with millions needing urgent help.