Heartbreaking news has emerged from Afghanistan as Save the Children mourns the loss of several children among the 29 people who tragically lost their lives in recent flooding.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
As extreme weather events become more frequent in Afghanistan, the devastating impact on communities is increasingly evident.
In 2024, torrential rains and flash floods wreaked havoc in northern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 200 people and destroying over 3,000 homes.
The latest disaster struck on 25 February 2025, when flash floods ravaged western Farah province, sweeping away several individuals. In a separate incident, three lives were lost when a hailstorm caused a house to collapse.
Reports from AFP news agency confirmed six fatalities in Helmand province, including a child struck by lightning, and nine more deaths in Kandahar province.
Arshad Malik, Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic events, stating, “Entire families have been swept away by these floods, and at least four children have lost their lives.”
Highlighting the long-term consequences for survivors, Malik emphasized, “Floods like these are a stark reminder of the rapidly changing climate that is impacting the most vulnerable—children—in Afghanistan.”
Studies indicate that rising global temperatures are contributing to more frequent and intense rainfall in Afghanistan and worldwide, causing immense trauma for already vulnerable populations and leaving lasting challenges in their wake.
