In a devastating incident that underscores the severe weather challenges facing Afghanistan, a mother and her six children have lost their lives after their home collapsed during heavy rainfall in the eastern part of the country. The tragedy occurred as the family slept overnight, with authorities confirming the fatalities on Thursday.
Details of the Tragic Collapse
According to Said Tayeb Hammad, the police spokesman for Nangarhar province, the family's home in the eastern city of Jalalabad was damaged by persistent rains that lashed the area from late Monday through to Wednesday morning. The structure collapsed suddenly overnight, trapping the occupants beneath the rubble.
The victims included three boys and three girls, aged between 4 and 15 years old, along with their mother. Their father survived the incident but sustained injuries and was transferred to a local hospital for treatment. Rescue workers managed to recover the bodies from the debris.
Eyewitness Account of the Disaster
A relative named Rahmatullah, who like many Afghans uses only one name, described the harrowing moment the collapse occurred. "There was a sudden loud sound. We rushed to the scene to see that our uncle was trapped," he recounted, highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of the tragedy.
Broader Context of Weather-Related Casualties
This incident is not isolated. Afghanistan's National Disaster Management Authority reported on Saturday that heavy snowfall and rainfall across the country had already claimed 61 lives and injured more than 100 people in recent days. Hundreds of homes have been either completely destroyed or partially damaged by the extreme weather conditions.
Afghanistan remains highly susceptible to such weather events, with flash floods triggered by snow and heavy rain frequently causing significant loss of life. In 2024 alone, springtime flash floods resulted in the deaths of more than 300 individuals.
Factors Amplifying Disaster Impact
The country's vulnerability is exacerbated by a combination of decades of conflict, inadequate infrastructure, a struggling economy, widespread deforestation, and the intensifying effects of climate change. These factors collectively amplify the impact of natural disasters, particularly in remote regions where many dwellings are constructed from mud and offer limited protection against sudden deluges or heavy snowfall.
This latest tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved disaster preparedness and resilient housing solutions in Afghanistan to mitigate future losses from extreme weather events.
