On Thursday morning, October 2, 2025, Kabul was ranked the second most polluted major city in the world, according to the IQAir global air quality index. Lahore, Pakistan, topped the list as the world’s most polluted city on the same day. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Kabul rose above 100, falling into the category More
The United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) in Afghanistan said on Friday that the climate crisis, natural disasters and the recent inflow of returnees are exerting immense pressure on the country’s urban areas. In a post on X, UN-Habitat wrote: “This year’s World Habitat Day focuses on Urban Crises Response — how cities confront overlapping More
On the occasion of World Clean Air Day, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says that a safe and clean environment is one of the fundamental human rights. However, currently, 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air and joint action is needed to prevent this pollution. Today (September 7) is the International More
One person was killed and two teenagers were injured as heavy flash floods unleashed havoc in central Logar province, an official and residents said on Monday. Juma Gul, a resident of Azra district, told Pajhwok Afghan News a young man lost his life due to the flash floods in Bar-e-Chutra area and two teenagers were More
At least 56 people have been killed and 50 others injured in flash floods triggered by torrential rains in Indian-administered Kashmir, media reports said on Friday. The deluge struck Chisoti, a town in Kishtwar district, on Thursday morning, Al Jazeera reported. Mohammed Irshad, a senior disaster management official, said 80 people were missing and 300 More
In northwestern Nimroz province where rainfall has declined due to climate change and most of the land is arid and sandy, some residents in Zaranj, the provincial capital, say seasonal 120-day wind has a destructive impact on their lives. The moisture-laden winds typically blow from late May to late September, with an average speed of More
As the climate crisis threatens the lives of millions of Afghans, the United Nations is calling on the international community to support Afghanistan in transitioning to renewable energy to help it cope with climate change. Indrika Ratwatte, Deputy Special Representative of UNAMA, warns that ignoring this crisis will not only be disastrous for Afghans but More
Acute drought in parts of Afghanistan has psychologically impacted farmers who face serious economic hardships; with some even forced to leave their areas. They are urging the government and the international community for help. Experts say the government and the international community must provide necessary assistance to affected farmers, distribute drought-resistant crop seeds, and lift More
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Afghanistan (UN-Habitat) has raised concerns over Kabul’s worsening water crisis, warning that urgent action is required to address the issue. In a post on X, UN-Habitat wrote: “Kabul is facing an unprecedented water crisis. Water levels have dropped significantly, putting six million residents at risk.” The agency emphasized More
Residents of Hazrat Sultan district in northern Samangan province say an insect locally vas Kharak-i-Khaki has invaded hundreds of homes, disrupting their nightly peace and comfort. Local authorities, however, have announced the launch of a campaign to combat the insect infestation. Ajab Khan, a resident of one of the district’s villages, told Pajhwok Afghan News More
