International organizations report that Afghanistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Since the start of the current solar year (2023/2024), numerous devastating floods have struck, killing hundreds and impacting thousands more. Recently, floods have ravaged the provinces of Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Kabul, Paktika, Maidan Wardak, and Ghazni, claiming hundreds of lives and displacing thousands. These floods, often described as a “silent tsunami,” continue to take lives almost weekly, with no effective measures in place to address them. Meanwhile, the Taliban remain focused on political maneuvering and wealth accumulation, persisting in illegal and unregulated mining practices that further degrade the environment. According to the research organization Samuel Hall, Afghanistan ranks eighth out of 170 countries in climate vulnerability, with 60% of its population affected by climate-related shocks.
The recent floods in Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir, Kabul, Paktika, Maidan Wardak, and Ghazni have caused significant financial losses. Destruction of homes, roads, dams, power grids, agricultural land, and businesses has been widespread, though exact damage estimates are yet to be reported.
Local Taliban officials in the province of Kapisa announced that in the wake of recent floods in parts of Nijrab district, hundreds of acres of agricultural land, residential homes, and 11 shops have been destroyed. Additionally, in Ghowas Valley, several kilometers of roads and 32 water dams have been damaged.
Panjshir province has witnessed multiple devastating floods this year. Recent floods in the Anaba and Rukha districts, as well as other areas, have destroyed hundreds of acres of farmland, dozens of water canals, power dams, and thousands of bridges.
In the province of Nangarhar, the floods claimed the life of a child and injured six people, including four children. The floods also damaged dozens of homes and shops, a government hospital, dozens of bridges, and hundreds of acres of agricultural land. Additionally, severe hailstorms in parts of Kabul caused financial losses for residents.
In the provinces of Ghazni and Paktika, floods resulted in the deaths of three people and destroyed hundreds of acres of agricultural land and homes. Sources in Ghazni reported that following heavy rain and flooding in Shirbooz village in Deh Yak district, two children and a woman lost their lives, and dozens of acres of farmland were ruined.
Last week’s heavy rainfall and flooding in Behsud district of Maidan Wardak province destroyed at least 15 residential homes, hundreds of acres of agricultural land, transportation routes, and irrigation canals.
The research organization Samuel Hall also stated that Afghanistan ranks eighth out of 170 countries in terms of vulnerability to climate change, with nearly 60% of the population affected by climate shocks. The report highlights that the ability of the Afghan population to cope with droughts, floods, and climate change has drastically diminished.
The report indicates that climate change has significantly reduced crop yields and access to water, forcing farmers to adopt sustainable practices and grow water-efficient crops. This situation has led to economic and social pressures, increased living costs, migration, and the weakening of community bonds. The organization emphasized the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques and strengthening economic and social support systems to mitigate these impacts.
The report also stresses that traditional knowledge should be utilized to develop adaptive strategies. Additionally, it emphasizes that involving women in the development of climate adaptation measures ensures more sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions.
Furthermore, the report suggests that water management projects should strike a balance between groundwater and surface water consumption. If sufficient surface water is available, groundwater extraction projects should not be allowed. According to the report’s authors, surface water should be prioritized, while groundwater should be preserved as a strategic reserve.
The organization noted that communities at risk of multiple disasters lack even an early warning system. It called for the creation of an early warning system for flood-prone and other disaster-affected areas.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a report, stated that flash floods in Afghanistan pose an immediate and ongoing threat to children. According to UNICEF, children in Afghanistan are among the most vulnerable, with their lives and futures at risk due to climate change.
UNICEF reported that Afghanistan ranks 15th out of 163 countries on the Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI).
Previously, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that the devastating floods in May 2024 affected at least 83,000 people in Afghanistan. OCHA further stated that 12.4 million people in Afghanistan are currently facing food insecurity. According to the report, 23.7 million people in Afghanistan need assistance, with 48% of the population living below the poverty line.
The World Bank has also warned that the world is battling a complete storm of climate crises, exacerbating inequality and pushing more people into poverty. The Bank stressed the need to construct hospitals and roads resistant to natural disasters and rainfall and to teach farmers cultivation methods that can better withstand greenhouse gas emissions.
It is worth noting that climate change in Afghanistan has had significant impacts on both the population and the environment. Due to its high mountains, vast plains, and arid and semi-arid regions, Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, water shortages, and droughts have altered the rainy season, negatively affecting food security and livelihoods.
Climate change in Afghanistan has also led to environmental damage, such as soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and changes in various ecosystems. These factors have increased the occurrence of floods and other natural disasters, posing serious risks to the country’s infrastructure and people’s lives.
You can read the Persian version of this new here:
تغییر اقلیم و سونامی خاموش؛ سیلابها از فقیرترین قشر جامعه قربانی میگیرند | روزنامه ۸صبح
