At least two people have been confirmed dead and three others injured after flash floods swept through parts of eastern Afghanistan’s Khost province late Thursday, local authorities reported.

The floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in the outskirts of Yaqubi Sabri district, causing widespread destruction and prompting concern over the country’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events.

Provincial government spokesman Mustaghfir Gurbaz confirmed the casualties in a statement on Friday, noting that dozens of residential homes, local shops, and large areas of agricultural land were either washed away or severely damaged.

“Two residents have sadly lost their lives, and three others have been injured as a result of the sudden floods,” said Gurbaz. “The damage is extensive. Hundreds of acres of farmland have been destroyed, and rural infrastructure, including roads, has been seriously affected.”

The floods have left many families homeless and have caused significant financial hardship in a province already grappling with economic difficulties and limited resources for disaster response.

This incident follows similar devastation earlier in the week. On Sunday, torrential rains and flooding in northern Badakhshan province resulted in two deaths and three injuries, highlighting a growing trend of severe weather-related disasters across Afghanistan.

The Afghan Meteorological Department has issued fresh warnings, forecasting continued rainfall and potential flooding in at least 18 of the country’s 34 provinces in the coming days. Authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to take precautions and remain alert.

Afghanistan, with its mountainous terrain and fragile infrastructure, remains highly susceptible to seasonal flooding, particularly in spring and early summer. Years of conflict, deforestation, and inadequate flood control systems have only worsened the impact of natural disasters on rural populations.

Humanitarian organizations have called for urgent assistance to help affected families and support rebuilding efforts in Khost and other flood-stricken regions. (ILKHA)