What was to be yet another peaceful evening was transformed into an unfathomable horror for the residents of Kunar and Nangarhar on September 1, 2025. A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan, leaving in its wake a havoc that has left its mark on thousands of lives.
The quakes struck in the dead of night, striking when no one expected it. Mountains shook, rocks fell on villages, and houses collapsed like sandcastles. Whole families were trapped under rubble. Within minutes, tranquil towns were rendered disaster zones. The United Nations has verified more than 800 fatalities, with more than 2,500 injured and the number is still on the rise.
Villages Wiped Out Overnight
Worst damage was witnessed in Kunar province districts of Nurgal, Soki, Manogi, Watupar, Chapadare, and Chaki. Whole villages were reduced to flat land. Masood, Arit, and Wadir villages were almost eradicated. In Andarlachak, disaster struck hard, with 79 dead in that village alone.
With roads clogged and communications halted, rescue operations are making headway in spite of everything. But for most survivors, help remains agonizingly out of reach. People are huddling under the open sky, grieving their lost loved ones and holding on to hope.
Yuvraj Singh’s Message of Solidarity
While disturbing images from Afghanistan flooded social media, they’ve moved hearts everywhere. Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh was one of them who was moved to tears by the tragedy. He tweeted out his grief on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“The images from Afghanistan after the earthquake are truly painful. My heart goes out to each and every family affected. May strength, courage and healing reach all those impacted”
The images from Afghanistan after the earthquake are truly painful. My heart goes out to each and every family affected. May strength, courage and healing reach all those impacted 🙏🏻#Afghanistan #AfghanistanEarthquake
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) September 2, 2025
His sentiments were echoed by what many were thinking – pain, compassion, and wanting to be there for those in need, even if only from a distance.
Hope Amid the Rubble
The magnitude of this crisis is enormous, and the recovery process will be long and difficult. With thousands of people made homeless and infrastructure destroyed, Afghanistan is once again appealing to the international community for assistance. Relief organizations are already present on the ground, working as hard as they can but more assistance is badly needed.
What this tragedy also shows is something more profound: the strength of communities and the power of empathy. In the midst of massive loss, people are uniting to assist, to mourn, to rebuild.
