‘Race Against Time’: UN Says Afghanistan Earthquake Left Over 649,000 Tonnes Of Debris

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 19:14 IST

The Afghanistan earthquake killed nearly 2,200, displaced up to 31,000 and left 649,000 tonnes of debris.

Afghans walk past damaged houses, after earthquakes at Mazar Dara village in Nurgal district, Kunar province, in Eastern Afghanistan. (AFP photo)

The devastating earthquake that struck Afghanistan last month left more than 649,000 tonnes of debris across affected provinces, according to a new analysis of satellite images by the United Nations. The 6.0-magnitude quake on August 31 killed nearly 2,200 people and forced at least 23,000 to flee their homes. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) said the debris amounts to 40,500 truckloads.

The provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar and Laghman recorded the heaviest destruction. In Kunar, one of the most remote and mountainous regions, emergency workers initially had to travel for hours on foot to reach isolated villages.

The UN said nearly 246,000 buildings- including homes, schools and clinics- are located in high-impact zones, while 462 km of electric grid lines remain at risk.

“Infrastructure exposure is extensive," the agency warned.

AI-based modelling using satellite and remote sensing technology estimates that 23,000 to 31,000 people have been displaced, while more than 633,000 women, 606,000 children and 33,000 elderly people were directly exposed to the disaster.

UNDP’s Afghanistan representative, Stephen Rodriques, described the aftermath as “heartbreaking."

“Families are sleeping in the open, and access to basic services is severely disrupted. We must act quickly to restore dignity and safety," he said.

Devanand Ramiah, who heads the UNDP crisis readiness and recovery team, said clearing debris and restoring access must begin immediately.

“This is a race against time," he warned. The agency said the satellite-based data will be used to prioritize debris clearance, conduct structural assessments and reopen key routes for aid delivery.

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News world ‘Race Against Time’: UN Says Afghanistan Earthquake Left Over 649,000 Tonnes Of Debris

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