Kabul: Powerful overnight storms and fierce winds have caused widespread devastation across several provinces in Afghanistan, leaving at least six people dead and 11 others injured, according to local disaster management officials. The severe weather struck parts of Kandahar, Herat, Ghor and Takhar provinces, damaging homes, farmland and essential infrastructure.
Authorities said the fatalities were linked to thunderstorms, flash floods, lightning strikes and intense winds that swept through the affected regions late Thursday night. The country’s disaster management agency confirmed that at least 20 houses were completely destroyed, while 10 others suffered partial damage.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to assess losses and assist affected communities, though rescue efforts have been slowed in several districts due to blocked roads and flood-related damage. Fallen debris and damaged transport routes have made access difficult for relief workers attempting to reach remote areas.
The storms also caused extensive destruction to agricultural land and public utilities. Officials reported damage to wells, trees and hundreds of solar energy panels, leaving many rural communities struggling without reliable electricity. In parts of Helmand province, residents said strong winds brought down electricity poles, triggering prolonged power outages across nearby villages.
Local residents described the aftermath as devastating, with many families losing homes, crops and basic services overnight. Several communities dependent on farming and small-scale solar systems now face growing uncertainty as recovery efforts begin.
The disaster is the latest in a series of climate-related emergencies affecting Afghanistan in recent months. Since late March, floods, storms and landslides have reportedly claimed around 250 lives across the country, while hundreds more have been injured. Thousands of families continue to deal with damaged homes, loss of livelihoods and disrupted access to clean water and electricity.
Humanitarian organisations are expanding relief operations in flood-affected areas, particularly in eastern provinces including Nangarhar, Laghman and Kunar. Aid agencies say emergency supplies and recovery support are being delivered to vulnerable families as authorities continue to assess the full scale of the destruction.
The latest storms once again highlight Afghanistan’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events, with humanitarian groups urging stronger disaster preparedness and long-term support for communities repeatedly affected by natural disasters.
