A powerful storm has ripped through Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, leaving 40 people dead and at least 347 injured, according to the country’s health ministry on Tuesday.

A government spokesman, Sharafat Zaman, said the casualty figures were expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

The storm, which brought heavy rain, battered Jalalabad city, Surkh Road, Bati Kot, and Behsud districts.

Local officials reported widespread damage to homes, with reports of an entire family of 11 buried under debris in one incident in the Surkh Road district.

However, government agencies were scrambling to organise rescue efforts and provide aid.

Emergency meetings were held with aid organisations to request additional assistance.

The storm’s destructive power resulted in fatalities and ripped through the area’s infrastructure, with around 60 electricity pylons toppled, leaving many areas without power.

Local reports said the storm had damaged some trees, crops, telecommunication systems, and infrastructure projects.

With the storm’s impact still unfolding, Nangarhar faced a long and difficult recovery process.

Afghanistan is prone to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, and experts blame the climate crisis.

According to the UN organisations, Afghanistan ranked as the world’s sixth most vulnerable country to climate change.

However, it was one of the smallest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.

After decades of wars and conflicts, the country is ill-prepared to cope with the consequences of climate change.

The country is still reeling from multiple earthquakes earlier this year and severe flooding in March.

(dpa/NAN)