KABUL: Severe storms and a rain-triggered landslide have killed at least 14 people across Afghanistan, officials said, with residents facing further risks on Thursday as heavy snow hit the country.

Strong wind and heavy rain in Kandahar killed six children on Wednesday, damaging homes and causing significant financial losses in several districts, the emergency department in the southern province said.

An avalanche also killed one person in Parwan province, west of the capital Kabul.

In total, “owing to the snow and rain, 11 people” were killed across six provinces in the country’s north, centre and south, including the Kandahar and Parwan incidents, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority said.

Salang Pass, other major highways closed after snowfall

In a separate incident in eastern Nuristan province, a landslide triggered by heavy rain struck a house in Quraish village on Wednesday, killing three members of the same family and injuring two others.

“Two 10-year-old girls and a teenage boy were killed,” Nuristan provincial government spokesman Fraidoon Samim said.

In central Ghazni province, a correspondent said that around 80 centimetres (31 inches) of snow fell over the past 24 hours, forcing the closure of markets and blocking roads.

Heavy snow in many provinces and Kabul has also caused traffic accidents.

Afghanistan frequently experiences deadly floods, landslides and storms, particularly in remote areas with fragile infrastructure, leaving communities vulnerable to extreme weather.

Salang Pass closed

Heavy snowfall and storms have forced the closure of several highways and transport routes across Afghanistan, including the Salang Pass, Afghanistan International reported quoting officials.

Snow depth in North Salang has exceeded four metres, while in South Salang it has reached nearly three metres.

An official said ongoing storms and snowfall have hampered snow-clearing operations in the area.

Several regional roads have also been closed. Routes linking Bamiyan province to the districts of Yakaolang and Panjab are shut, as are roads connecting Parwan and Ghor provinces.

In Daikundi province, the Khadir, Qonaq, Kumi and Shahristan–Miramor routes have been closed. Roads in several districts of Ghazni province, including Nawur, Ajristan, Malistan and Jaghori, are also impassable.

Taliban officials said routes connecting Khost and Paktia provinces have likewise been closed due to severe weather.

Images published from Maidan Wardak province show heavy snowfall, while snow continues to fall in Herat province.

The Ministry of Public Works has urged travellers and drivers to check road conditions before setting out and to carry essential supplies, including warm clothing, food, fuel and tyre chains, when travelling on snow-covered routes.

Published in Dawn, January 23rd, 2026