Widespread flooding leaves at least 148 dead across Afghanistan
Widespread flooding across Afghanistan has left at least 148 people dead as of April 8, 2026, following nearly two weeks of persistent storms, flash floods, and landslides. The event, which began in late March, has affected most of the country’s provinces, destroying more than 1 100 homes, damaging thousands more, and impacting over 6 000 families.
Flood in Afghanistan - April 2026. Credit: AFP (stillshot from the video)
Flooding across Afghanistan intensified over the 10 days leading up to April 4, with the death toll rising steadily as repeated rounds of severe weather affected large parts of the country. The latest toll of 77 dead and 137 injured was reported by the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) spokesman Mohammad Yousuf Hammad.
The flooding affected multiple provinces simultaneously, with at least 13 of them experiencing flooding, flash floods, or associated hazards within a single day at the peak of the event.
Some eastern parts of the country recorded more than 100 mm (3.9 inches) of rain over a short period, while seasonal snowmelt added to the runoff, especially in mountainous terrain.
Afghan authorities reported 28 deaths on March 30, followed by 42 deaths over the following five days, before the toll rose to 77 by April 4. The latest ANDMA update said 26 people were killed and 48 were wounded across the country in 48 hours to April 4 due to rains, floods, landslides, and lightning.
At least 793 homes were destroyed and 2 673 damaged, leaving thousands of families affected. Floodwaters also washed away approximately 337 km (210 miles) of roads, disrupting transport corridors and limiting access to affected areas.
Critical routes, including connections through mountain passes, were impacted, affecting the movement of goods and emergency response.
Heavy rains also caused fatalities in neighboring Pakistan, where provincial disaster management authorities said 44 people were killed in recent weeks, including 32 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 12 in Balochistan.
The event aligns with the region’s seasonal flood period, which typically peaks between March and May due to the combined effects of rainfall and snowmelt.
Forecasts indicate additional rainfall in the coming days, maintaining the risk of further flooding and landslides in already saturated areas.
Update
10:57 UTC, April 9
The death toll from widespread flooding across Afghanistan has continued to rise, with authorities now confirming at least 148 fatalities as of April 8, following nearly two weeks of persistent storms and flash floods.
Afghanistan’s disaster management authorities report that more than 160 people have been injured, while thousands of homes have been destroyed or damaged.
At least 1 149 houses have been destroyed and over 5 000 damaged, with critical infrastructure, including roads and transport routes, heavily affected. More than 6 000 families have been impacted nationwide as floodwaters and debris continue to disrupt access to remote areas.
The flooding has now affected much of the country, with damage reported across a majority of Afghanistan’s provinces. In addition to flood-related fatalities, some deaths have been linked to landslides and lightning strikes during severe storm activity.
Officials warn that further rainfall is forecast in the coming days, raising the risk of additional flooding and secondary hazards such as landslides, particularly in mountainous terrain where soils remain saturated.
References:
1 Floods, landslides triggered by heavy rain in Afghanistan leave 77 dead in 10 days, authorities say – AP – April 5, 2026
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