Heavy rains and snow affecting Afghanistan over the last 3 weeks destroyed or damaged more than 1 650 homes and claimed the lives of 60 people. The severe weather has also led to the loss of nearly 178 000 livestock.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Hindu Kush, Afghanistan at 09:20 UTC on January 11, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 206.6 km (128 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.0 at a depth of 201 km (125 miles).
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 at 03:36 UTC (08:06 local time) on October 15, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 8 km (5 miles). This region of Afghanistan was hit by a total 4 of M6.3 earthquakes (USGS) since October 7 when twin M6.3s killed more than 2 400 people.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit western Afghanistan at 00:41 UTC on October 11, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 9 km (5.6 miles). This is the third M6.3 earthquake to hit this area of Afghanistan since twin M6.3s on October 7 in which more than 2 400 people lost their lives.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit western Afghanistan at 06:41 UTC (10:11 local time) on October 7, 2023. The quake was followed by M5.5 at 06:49 UTC, M4.7 at 07:10 UTC, M6.3 at 07:12 UTC, and M5.9 at 07:40 UTC — all at shallow depths between 7.7 and 14 km (4.8 – 8.7 miles).
Afghanistan is grappling with a growing crisis as heavy rains continue to pummel the central and eastern regions of the country since July 22, 2023, triggering devastating flash floods. The provinces of Maidan Wardak, Khost, and the area surrounding the capital, Kabul, have been particularly affected.
In recent days, central Afghanistan, specifically Ghor Province, has been severely impacted by heavy rainfall that triggered floods, resulting in casualties and significant damage. Six people have been reported dead, with one person missing, and over 100 houses, along with 200 ha (494 acres) of crops, have been destroyed.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.5 hit Hindu Kush, Afghanistan at 16:47 UTC on March 21, 2023. The agency is reporting a depth of 187.6 km (116.6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.5 at a depth of 191 km (118.7 miles).
A series of deadly avalanches caused by heavy snowfall have impacted Afghanistan and Tajikistan over the past couple of days, causing damage and leaving at least 25 people dead. The avalanches struck mountainous regions in both countries, including the Kunar and Badakhshan provinces of Afghanistan and Tajikistan’s eastern Gorno-Badakhshan region.
At least 157 people have died in Afghanistan’s harsh winter as of January 24, 2023, with the death toll doubling in less than a week. Officials are describing this winter as the worst in a decade.
