Afghanistan: Floods - Mar 2024

Heavy rainfall across Afghanistan on 29 and 30 March has destroyed more than 1,500 acres of agricultural land and resulted in severe damage to over 540 homes, as well as other critical infrastructure across seven provinces, including six bridges and 450 km of road. Based on initial reports and assessments, the provinces where most damage has been reported are Faryab province in the Northern region, Nangarhar province in the Eastern region, and Daikundi province in the Central Highlands region. This is the third time that the Northern region has experienced flooding in less than a month, with seven people killed and 384 families affected in heavy rains that occurred on 21 and 26-27 March. As of 30 March, there have been no reports of displacement due to the floods. (OCHA, 30 Mar 2024)

[...] The health facility in the Kamgal area suffered damage due to a landslide, impacting local access to essential health services. In Kunar, the primary route between Wama and Parun was temporarily obstructed on March 30 by rockslides, disrupting transportation and relief access. Similarly, in Nuristan, the Neshagram village road to Waygal district has been blocked due to landslides, severing the connection of approximately 1,000 to 2,000 families with essential services and the district center. (IMC, 3 Apr 2024)

Between 10 and 16 April 2024, Afghanistan experienced heavy rains and flash floods across the central, central highlands, northern, northeastern, southern and western regions. Preliminary reports indicate that almost 1,590 families have been affected, with 35 people killed and another 47 people injured, while 46 families have been displaced. The most severely affected provinces that had fatalities were Badghis (4), Farah (2), Hilmand (5), Kabul (3), Kandahar (4), Laghman (2), Nangahar (1), Parwan (2) and Uruzgan (12). Additionally, more than 930 houses have been destroyed (198) or damaged (738), along with around 63,700 acres of agricultural land and at least 470 livestock reportedly killed.A new wave of rains is expected in the central, south, southeast and southwest regions of the country over the next week, with up to 30 mm of rainfall daily. These volumes are of concern because water reserves are filled to capacity, thus flooding is to be anticipated. (OCHA, 18 Apr 2024)

The humanitarian impact continues to rise following heavy rainfall and floods that have been affecting several provinces of Afghanistan, particularly Badghis, Uruzgan, Farah, Paktia, Zabul, Helmand, Kunar, Kabul, Badakhshan, Ghor, Kandahar, Takhar, Parwan, Herat, Ghazni, Laghman, Nimroz, and Sar-e-Pol. As of 23 April, media report at least 90 fatalities, and dozens of injured people. In addition, more than 2,000 houses have been damaged, and thousands of livestock have died across the country. (ECHO, 24 Apr 2024)

On 10 and 11 May, heavy rainfall and flash floods struck northeastern Afghanistan, affecting 21 districts across Badakhshan (5), Baghlan (10) and Takhar (6) provinces. Initial reports indicate 180 fatalities and more than 240 injuries across the three provinces. 8,975 homes were either destroyed or damaged leaving thousands without shelter. In addition to damage and destruction to roads, bridges, and public schools, 11 health facilities across Baghlan and Takhar provinces have been affected disrupting health and nutrition services, and 4,260 livestock have been lost. (OCHA, 12 May 2024)

Heavy rainfall in central Afghanistan has caused a new wave of flash floods on the 17 May 2024. This is while the country still reeling from last week's devastating floods. The newly affected provinces are Ghor, Faryad, Sar-e Pul, Samangan, Balkh and Badghis. (IFRC, 18 May 2024)

On 17 and 18 May, heavy rainfall led to flash floods in the Northern and Western regions of Afghanistan, impacting 10 districts in Ghor province (Charsada, Dawlatyar, Dolayna, Ferozkoh, Lal Wa Sarjangal, Murghab, Pasaband, Saghar, Shahrak, and Tolak districts), as well as eight districts in Faryab province (Almar, Bilcheragh, Chehlgazi, Dawlatabad, Khaibar, Maimana, Pashtun Kot and Qaysar districts). While assessments are ongoing for both provinces, initial reports indicate the large-scale floods have resulted in the deaths of at least 120 people with hundreds more people missing and extensive damage to private properties and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian partners and local authorities anticipate the number of casualties will increase significantly as search and rescue efforts continue amid reports that people may be trapped under collapsed buildings. In northern Afghanistan, the initial flooding on 17 May in Faryab province reportedly affected around 560 households followed by a second wave of flooding on 18 May which affected approximately 1,300 households across eight districts. (OCHA, 20 May 2024)

Humanitarian partners are ramping up response efforts following 10 and 11 May heavy rainfall and flash floods in Baghlan, Badakhshan and Takhar provinces that affected more than 60,000 people. Across the region to date, approximately 7,800 homes have been confirmed as either destroyed or damaged leaving over 5,000 families displaced according to the Afghan Ministry of Refugee and Repatriation (MoRR). Across the three provinces, MoRR reported 347 people were killed and 1,651 injured due to floods. (OCHA, 22 May 2024)

To date, 225 people have been confirmed killed (137 in the northeastern, 80 in the northern and eight in the western region); more than half of the deaths occurred in Baghlan Province alone. A further 217 people have been wounded. So far in 2024, more than 119,160 people have been affected by heavy rainfall and flash flooding across 32 provinces. (OCHA, 6 Jun 2024)

On 23 June, two landslides occurred in Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan, one in Orgor village in Saskani district and another in Wazi Zadran, causing casualties and damage. According to media reports, as of 25 June, a total of 12 people died, of whom seven in Orgor village and five in Wazi Zadran district. (ECHO, 26 Jun 2024)

Flash floods were reported in Guzargah district of Baghlan Province on 27 June, affecting two villages and destroying/damaging an estimated 150 homes, underscoring pervasive vulnerability to floods in this region. Access has been largely restored across affected areas, however the recent flash flood on 27 June has rendered some areas unreachable by responding agencies. [...] Similarly, some areas in the Western region continue to remain inaccessible due to road conditions. Widespread damage to public infrastructure continues to be reported, including to roads, health centers, water networks, and education facilities. Moreover, more than 2,200 acres of land have been damaged in the Western region, while over 5,500 individuals supporting their families have lost access to livelihoods in the Northern and Northeastern regions. (UNHCR, 2 Jul 2024)

On 15 July, heavy rainfall and thunderstorms affected eastern Afghanistan, particularly Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, causing flash floods and leading to casualties and damage. According to media, at least 35 people died while 350 others were injured in Nangarhar province. In the neighbouring Kunar province, five people died following floods in Asadabad city and in Asmar district. (ECHO, 16 Jul 2024)

The humanitarian impact is increasing following the flash flood events that affected the eastern provinces of Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman. According to Save the Children and media, the death toll reached 40 people while 350 others have been injured. In addition, 1,500 children have been displaced and 400 houses have been destroyed. Infrastructure damage has been also reported to telecommunications networks and several roads have also been blocked, making it difficult to access affected areas. (ECHO, 17 Jul 2024)

To date, the number of reported casualties has increased to 58 fatalities and 380 injured. So far, joint assessment teams (JATs) have assessed 1,925 affected families across Nangarhar, Kunar, and Laghman provinces; further assessments are ongoing. The number of tents destroyed in the Omari camp near the reception center at the Torkham border crossing point has increased from 400 to 550. Severe damage has also been sustained to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities. (OCHA, 21 Jul 2024)

On 20 August 2024, heavy rains triggered flash floods which swept through Panjshir, Parwan, Kabul, Nangarhar and Kunar province in the eastern and central regions of Afghanistan. The incident affected a total of 1,006 families comprising 6,589 individuals, especially in Jalalabad and Kabul where the highest number of affected populations and damaged shelters were reported. (IOM, 4 Sep 2024)

Since early April, preliminary data compiled by the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) indicates that approximately 40,500 homes have been affected, along with substantial loss of life and injuries reported in various provinces. [...] Provinces such as Baghlan, Ghor, and Helmand have experienced particularly high numbers of fatalities and injuries, with the total death toll in the region reaching at least 300. While Ghor and Helmand reported significant injuries, other provinces, including Panjsher, Kapisa, Bamyan, Nimroz, Paktya, and Kunduz, reported no casualties. (IFRC, 29 Oct 2024)