KABUL: Afghanistan is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as three consecutive days of intense rainfall and heavy snowfall have plunged large parts of the country into freezing conditions, raising concerns over a mounting but still incomplete human toll.
In such a case, at least 61 people have lost their lives while more than 110 others have been injured since the severe weather began earlier this week. So far, officials warn that these figures are likely to rise as snowfall and rain continue across several regions, particularly in areas that remain inaccessible.
The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) stated that approximately 458 homes have been destroyed, leaving hundreds of families exposed to extreme cold.
In addition to human losses, dozens of livestock deaths have been reported, while hundreds of hectares of standing crops have been damaged, further threatening food security in already vulnerable communities.
The data, collected between Wednesday and Friday, covers only accessible areas. Authorities acknowledge that remote and mountainous regions, where roads have been blocked due to snow accumulation, have not yet been fully assessed.
This has raised fears that the true scale of the disaster may be significantly higher than currently reported.
Furthermore, preliminary findings suggest that most fatalities occurred due to roof collapses under the weight of snow, while avalanches were responsible for deaths in some northern districts. Sub-zero temperatures have also triggered serious health complications among elderly residents, with several cold-related deaths confirmed.
Meanwhile, transportation has been severely disrupted, particularly in northern provinces and isolated villages, making rescue and relief efforts increasingly challenging. The emergency teams have struggled to reach stranded populations as key routes remain closed.
So far. Taliban authorities have issued advisories urging citizens to avoid non-essential travel amid worsening weather conditions.
