19 Killed in Afghanistan Floods in One Week, UN Says

Heavy rains and flash floods have killed at least 19 people in Afghanistan over the past week, as fresh weather disasters deepen humanitarian pressure.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Tuesday that the deaths were recorded between March 26 and March 31. The agency added that more than 900 families had been affected and over 600 homes were either destroyed or damaged by the flooding.

OCHA said emergency assistance has so far reached 157 families, while assessments of damage and humanitarian needs are still ongoing. The agency stressed that the figures remain preliminary and may rise as more affected areas are reached and additional information is verified.

The latest flooding has once again exposed how vulnerable many communities remain to seasonal weather shocks, especially in remote and mountainous areas of the country where fragile housing and poor drainage systems increase the risk of deadly flash floods.

Aid officials say extreme weather is increasingly compounding Afghanistan’s broader humanitarian crisis, where millions already face food insecurity, displacement and limited access to health care. In many flood-hit areas, families are not only losing homes but also livestock, stored food and basic household items essential for survival.

Afghanistan has long been prone to flash floods, landslides and severe storms, particularly during spring when rapid snowmelt and heavy rain can overwhelm rivers and dry riverbeds. Rural provinces are often hit hardest because infrastructure is weak and emergency response capacity remains limited.

The country is also among those most exposed to climate shocks despite contributing very little to global emissions. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and more destructive, adding to already severe economic and social stress.

The floods come at a time when Afghanistan is still grappling with widespread humanitarian need. The UN has warned in recent months that millions of people remain dependent on aid, while funding shortfalls are making it harder for relief groups to respond quickly to emergencies.

With damaged homes, disrupted livelihoods and more rain still possible, aid agencies say the immediate priority is to reach isolated families before conditions worsen further. The latest floods are another reminder that for many Afghans, natural disasters are now unfolding alongside an already fragile humanitarian emergency.

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