Severe snowstorm leaves 11 dead in Afghanistan

Heavy winter storms struck northern and central Afghanistan on Thursday, January 22, 2026, causing avalanches, building collapses, and road blockages across several provinces. At least 11 people were confirmed dead, with fatalities reported in Kandahar, Parwan, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, Jawzjan, and Faryab.

Heavy snowfall across northern and central Afghanistan triggered multiple avalanches and cold-weather incidents on Thursday.

Mohammad Yousuf Hammad of Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said freezing rain and snow have claimed at least 11 lives in six provinces, cut off major roads, and left towns and villages isolated.

Fatalities were reported in Kandahar, Parwan, Bamyan, Maidan Wardak, Jawzjan, and Faryab. At least nine houses were damaged, and about 500 livestock were killed, according to Hammad.

In Nuristan Province, local officials reported that three children died after the roof of a house collapsed following intense rainfall, while another child and a woman were injured.

Authorities in Kandahar confirmed that six children were reported dead in Dand District when a house roof gave way during the snowstorm.

In Baghlan Province, one person was killed and ten others injured when an avalanche struck vehicles along the Salang Pass, which connects Kabul with northern provinces.

Local officials reported snow depth in Salang reaching up to 4 m (13 feet) in the north and nearly 3 m (10 feet) in the south, hampering clearance operations.

Authorities temporarily closed the route while rescue teams from the Ministry of Disaster Management and local volunteers cleared snow and transported the injured to nearby hospitals.

Freezing temperatures and heavy snow also isolated several mountain communities, delaying the delivery of food and medical aid. Emergency shelters were established along the Salang highway, where about 60 stranded travelers were moved to safety.

References:

¹ Heavy Snow and Rain Kill at Least 14 in Afghanistan, Roads Closed – Khaama Press – January 22, 2026

² Heavy snowfall, rains kill 11, injure 3 in Afghanistan – Xinhua – January 22, 2026

Feature image credit: Hafiz Umari

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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