Kabul, Afghanistan, January 24, 2026 – Relentless heavy snowfall and rainfall over the past three days have killed at least 61 people and injured more than 100 across several provinces in Afghanistan, according to the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA). The extreme weather has triggered avalanches, flash floods, roof collapses, and widespread infrastructure damage, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn nation.
Hafiz Muhammad Yousaf Hamad, spokesman for ANDMA, released a video statement on Saturday detailing the toll. "Over the past three days, at least 61 people have been killed and 110 injured," Hamad said, speaking from Kabul. He attributed most casualties to avalanches, collapsing structures under snow weight, hypothermia, and flooding in low-lying areas. The deaths occurred primarily between Wednesday and Friday, with impacts concentrated in central, northern, and northeastern provinces.
Affected regions include Kabul, Parwan, Panjshir, Ghazni, Nuristan, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, and others, where mountainous terrain amplified the severity. In Parwan province north of the capital, authorities reported the closure of the Salang Highway—one of Afghanistan's most critical north-south arteries linking Kabul to nine northern provinces including Balkh, Kunduz, and Takhar. The high-altitude Salang Pass, often prone to blizzards and avalanches, remains impassable due to deep snow drifts and ongoing storms, isolating communities and halting trade, food supplies, and medical evacuations.
Hamad noted that roads in hilly and mountainous areas are blocked nationwide, with emergency teams deployed to clear routes using heavy machinery and manual labor. "Authorities are working around the clock to reopen blocked roads and deliver emergency relief to stranded communities," he said. Despite these efforts, access remains limited in remote districts, where villages are cut off and residents face acute shortages of food, fuel, and warm clothing.
The disaster has also caused extensive property damage. ANDMA reported that 458 houses were fully or partially destroyed, displacing approximately 360 families. Many victims perished when snow-laden roofs caved in during the night, a common hazard in Afghanistan's poorly insulated mud-brick homes. Livestock losses were significant in rural areas, further threatening livelihoods in a country where agriculture and animal husbandry sustain millions.
Hamad urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in affected zones and exercise extreme caution on hazardous or blocked roads. "Please stay indoors where possible, and follow official warnings to prevent further loss of life," he appealed. The ANDMA has activated provincial response teams, coordinating with local Taliban authorities, international NGOs, and community volunteers to distribute blankets, tents, food packages, and medical aid.
Afghanistan's vulnerability to extreme weather is well-documented. The country's rugged topography, combined with climate change impacts, makes it prone to devastating seasonal events. Heavy winter snows often trigger avalanches in the Hindu Kush mountains, while spring melts lead to flash floods—as seen in 2024 when over 300 people died in widespread inundations. The current episode follows earlier incidents this winter, including flash floods in late December 2025 and early January 2026 that killed at least 17 and injured others, highlighting the escalating frequency and intensity of such disasters.
The humanitarian crisis is compounded by Afghanistan's ongoing economic and political challenges. Under Taliban rule since 2021, the country has faced severe aid cuts from Western donors, frozen central bank assets, and banking restrictions, leaving millions dependent on external assistance. The United Nations estimates that nearly half of Afghanistan's more than 40 million people—around 18-23 million—will require humanitarian aid in 2026. Earlier this month, the UN and partners launched a $1.7 billion appeal to address urgent needs, warning that Afghanistan remains one of the world's largest and most underfunded crises.
International organizations like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Food Programme (WFP), and UNICEF have expressed alarm over the weather's impact on vulnerable groups, particularly women, children, and the elderly in displacement camps or remote villages. Power outages have affected multiple provinces due to damaged lines and overwhelmed grids, while communications remain spotty in snowbound areas.
Taliban officials have mobilized resources for relief, including military engineering units to assist in road clearing. In some provinces, local commanders have organized community snow removal and shelter provision. However, critics point to limited capacity and transparency in aid distribution amid restrictions on women-led NGOs and international oversight.
The Salang Highway closure has drawn particular concern, as it disrupts supply chains for Kabul and northern markets. Alternative routes are longer and riskier, often through insecure or equally snow-affected areas. Officials hope to reopen the pass within days if weather improves, but forecasts indicate continued cold snaps and possible additional precipitation.
This disaster underscores Afghanistan's chronic exposure to climate shocks in a context of prolonged conflict recovery and economic isolation. As rescue operations continue and families mourn losses, the international community faces renewed calls to scale up support before the winter deepens. ANDMA and partners are conducting damage assessments, with preliminary surveys ongoing in collaboration with NGOs to quantify needs and prioritize interventions.
For now, the focus remains on saving lives amid the freeze: clearing paths, delivering essentials, and urging caution to avert further tragedy in a nation battered by both nature and circumstance.
