Recent heavy rains in eastern Afghanistan have resulted in a tragic loss of life and significant damage to property. According to Taliban officials, at least 40 people have lost their lives, and nearly 350 others have been injured due to the severe weather conditions. The storm, which struck on Monday, caused widespread devastation in Nangarhar province, particularly in the capital city of Jalalabad and surrounding districts.
Reports indicate that among the casualties were five members of a single family who tragically perished when their house's roof collapsed in Surkh Rod district. Additionally, four other family members sustained injuries in the incident. The storm also led to the destruction of approximately 400 houses and 60 electricity poles across the province, resulting in power outages and communication disruptions in Jalalabad city.
Residents described the intensity of the storm, with strong winds uprooting objects and heavy rainfall exacerbating the situation. Abdul Wali, a local resident, recounted the swift and devastating impact of the storm, noting that his young daughter sustained minor injuries during the chaos.
This recent disaster comes on the heels of another tragedy in May, where over 300 individuals lost their lives due to exceptionally heavy rains in the northern province of Baghlan. Thousands of homes were destroyed in that incident, highlighting the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters in the region.
In a separate incident, at least 17 people were killed and 34 others injured when a bus overturned on the main highway connecting Kabul and Balkh in Baghlan province. The cause of the accident remains unclear, although poor road conditions and reckless driving are often cited as contributing factors to such incidents in the country.
