The smell of damp, turned earth is heavy in the air tonight in Nangarhar. It’s a tragic scene after a brutal stretch of weather. Misryoum editorial desk confirmed that at least five people have been killed and another four are currently injured following a series of house collapses late Monday night.
It happened across the outskirts of Sherzad, Khogyani, and Haska Meyna districts. The intense, relentless downpours turned the mud-brick foundations—common in these parts—into a death trap. I heard reports that the victims were just sleeping when the structures gave way. It is honestly just awful to think about.
The injured were moved to nearby health centers for treatment, though the situation remains precarious as the rain hasn’t really stopped. Misryoum reporting indicates that this is part of a much larger, grim pattern across the country. Residential houses in these remote Afghan regions are mostly made from mud, which means they simply don’t stand a chance against this much water.
Actually, wait—it’s not just these few districts. The bigger picture is even worse. Over the past 11 days, Misryoum analysis indicates that rainstorms, landslides, and flash floods have claimed the lives of nearly 110 people and injured 160 more across the country. It’s been a devastating couple of weeks for the region. The toll is climbing, and you have to wonder if the infrastructure can hold up for much longer.
The property damage is immense, but the loss of life is what stays with you. Mud bricks don’t hold up, they just melt away. Five people—gone in the middle of a storm. And that’s the reality for many in these remote areas when the weather turns, or maybe it’s just the lack of better options…
