One of the deadliest avalanche disasters in Afghanistan's history, killing up to 308 people across northeastern provinces in late February 2015.
Key Facts
- Death toll
- Up to 308 people killed
- Date
- Late February 2015
- Hardest-hit province
- Panjshir Province
- Other affected province
- Parwan Province
- Number of provinces affected
- Four provinces
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Heavy snowfall in late February 2015 created unstable snow conditions across the mountainous terrain of northeastern Afghanistan. The remote, high-altitude geography of provinces such as Panjshir and Parwan made them particularly vulnerable to large-scale snow accumulation and sudden avalanche release.
A series of snow avalanches struck northeastern Afghanistan in late February 2015, affecting at least four provinces. Panjshir Province suffered the greatest impact, with entire villages buried under snow. Parwan Province also experienced widespread destruction, and the remote mountain terrain severely hampered rescue and relief operations.
The disaster killed up to 308 people, making it one of the deadliest avalanche events in Afghanistan's recorded history. Rescue efforts were complicated by the inaccessibility of the affected mountain regions, leaving many communities isolated and in need of emergency assistance in the immediate aftermath.