Eastern Afghanistan Reels After Deadly 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake
A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, unleashing devastation across one of the country’s most remote and rugged regions. Hundreds have died, thousands are injured, and relief teams are racing against time to reach isolated villages. But landslides, destroyed roads, and the steep mountainous terrain are severely hampering rescue efforts.
According to the Afghan Press Club, citing government officials, at least 800 people have died, and more than 2,000 are injured in Kunar province, near the Pakistan border. Authorities warn these numbers may rise as teams reach villages that have been cut off since the quake struck just before midnight.
The Earthquake and Its Epicenter
The quake’s epicenter was located 27 kilometers (16.77 miles) northeast of Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangarhar, at a shallow depth of 8 km (4.97 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Shallow earthquakes often produce more violent surface shaking. Kunar province, with its rugged mountains and sparsely connected villages, proved particularly vulnerable. Nearly half a million people experienced strong to very strong shaking, devastating homes built from mud bricks or unreinforced concrete.
Ahmad Zameer, a 41-year-old resident of Kabul, about 100 miles from the epicenter, told CNN:
“Everyone rushed outside. The shaking was so violent, we feared our homes would collapse.”
Humanitarian Response and Challenges
The Taliban government and humanitarian agencies have mobilized rescue and relief teams, but their efforts are obstructed by geography and damaged infrastructure. Landslides block key roads, delaying delivery of medical supplies, food, and emergency equipment.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid posted on X:
“Local officials and residents are making all efforts to rescue affected people. Support teams from the capital and nearby provinces are on their way. All available resources will be used for relief.”
Video footage from Reuters shows injured victims being airlifted by helicopter in Jalalabad, while hospitals struggle to accommodate the surge of patients. Many wards are overcrowded, highlighting the fragility of Afghanistan’s healthcare system, already strained after international aid withdrawals.
Aftershocks and Ongoing Threat
At least five significant aftershocks have followed, the largest measuring 5.2 in magnitude. In mountainous regions like Kunar, aftershocks can trigger additional landslides, threatening both communities and rescue teams.
Afghanistan: A Nation Vulnerable to Earthquakes
The country sits at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountains, making it one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the world.
This disaster follows a 6.3-magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan in October 2023, which killed more than 2,000 people. Such repeated tragedies underscore the country’s chronic vulnerability, especially in rural areas with fragile infrastructure and limited emergency services.
Impact on Homes and Infrastructure
Damage across Kunar is severe. Many residents live in mud-brick houses, prone to collapse. Roads and bridges connecting villages to district centers have been washed out or blocked, delaying relief and medical assistance.
Electricity, water, and telecommunications have been disrupted. In some remote districts, communication is cut off entirely, forcing rescuers to rely on helicopters and local guides to locate survivors.
Geography and Rescue Challenges
Kunar’s mountainous terrain presents major obstacles. Villages perched on steep hillsides are accessible only via narrow, winding roads, often blocked by landslides. This isolation leaves survivors without immediate food, shelter, or medical care.
Local authorities and Taliban forces are using helicopters to evacuate critically injured patients, but ground teams face delays of hours or days due to blocked or destroyed roads.
Human Stories: Fear and Survival
Survivors describe terrifying moments as buildings crumbled around them. Many fled midnight homes barefoot, clutching children and loved ones. Social media and local reports highlight communities uniting to dig neighbors from rubble by hand.
One Kunar resident said:
“We heard a loud roar and felt the ground shake violently. Houses cracked and some collapsed. Many people are trapped. We are scared because aftershocks keep coming.”
With winter approaching, thousands are exposed to cold temperatures without shelter, adding to the crisis.
Compounding Crises in Afghanistan
The disaster occurs amid deep economic, social, and humanitarian challenges in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan:
- Hunger and malnutrition: Millions face food insecurity due to aid disruptions, droughts, and economic collapse.
- Healthcare shortages: Over $1.7 billion in U.S. aid contracts were terminated, leaving hospitals short on medicines and staff.
- International isolation: Aid and diplomatic restrictions hinder rapid international response.
These factors exacerbate the earthquake’s impact, prolonging recovery.
International Response and Aid
The United Nations expressed deep concern:
“We are deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake. Our teams are delivering emergency assistance on the ground.”
International NGOs are providing:
- Emergency medical teams
- Food and clean water
- Temporary shelters
- Search and rescue equipment
Aid coordination remains difficult due to political complexities, requiring negotiations with Taliban authorities to ensure help reaches remote areas.
Lessons from Past Earthquakes
Afghanistan’s history of seismic disasters highlights urgent needs:
- 2023 Western Afghanistan Earthquake: Over 2,000 deaths.
- 2002 Ghor Earthquake: Over 150 killed.
- Preparedness gaps: Homes are earthquake-prone; rural communities lack disaster training; emergency response is underdeveloped.
Experts stress that early warning systems, earthquake-resistant construction, and community preparedness could save lives in future events.
The Humanitarian Toll
- Fatalities: At least 800, expected to rise.
- Injuries: Over 2,000 requiring urgent medical care.
- Displaced: Thousands without homes.
- Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and utilities disrupted.
Communities face not only loss of life and property but also psychological trauma, as the sudden quake shattered a sense of safety.
Regional Implications
The earthquake was felt in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, prompting authorities to assess risks in border areas. Cross-border cooperation could be vital for medical evacuations, aid delivery, and logistics.
Seismic activity in the Hindu Kush remains a persistent threat, requiring both Afghanistan and Pakistan to strengthen resilience in mountainous communities.
Aftermath and Recovery
Recovery will be long and challenging:
- Rebuilding infrastructure: Roads, bridges, and communication networks need restoration.
- Housing reconstruction: Thousands of homes require earthquake-resistant designs.
- Medical response: Hospitals are overstretched; additional support is critical.
- Long-term needs: Food security, shelter, and psychological care remain urgent.
Coordinating Relief
Humanitarian operations in Taliban-controlled areas require delicate diplomacy, balancing aid delivery with political sensitivities. Despite obstacles, helicopters, military aircraft, and local volunteers play a critical role in rescue operations.
Geography, Climate, and Vulnerability
Afghanistan’s mountainous terrain, combined with frequent seismic activity, makes it one of South Asia’s most disaster-prone countries. Vulnerability is heightened by:
- Poverty and weak infrastructure
- Traditional construction methods
- Limited emergency services in rural regions
- Political instability and reduced international aid
Experts call for long-term investment in disaster risk reduction, including earthquake-resistant housing, community education, and early warning systems.
Lessons for the Future
The earthquake underscores Afghanistan’s chronic vulnerability. Key recommendations include:
- Improved infrastructure: Strengthen homes, roads, and bridges.
- Preparedness and awareness: Train communities to respond effectively.
- International support frameworks: Ensure aid reaches remote areas efficiently.
- Long-term resilience planning: Integrate disaster risk reduction into national strategies.
Conclusion
Sunday’s 6.0-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan is a stark reminder of the fragility of settlements in seismic zones. Hundreds have already died, thousands are injured, and the road to recovery will be long.
In the rugged mountains of Kunar and Nangarhar, survival now depends not only on the strength of the earth but also on the speed, coordination, and compassion of those racing to save lives. The event highlights the urgent need for resilient infrastructure, robust emergency services, and coordinated humanitarian response in a country repeatedly battered by natural disasters.
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