Flash floods in eastern Afghanistan leave dozens dead and missing
Kabul, Afghanistan — Flash floods in eastern Afghanistan have killed 20 people, injured about 80 more and left more than 100 missing, Afghan authorities said Monday, reports BritPanorama.
The floods struck the eastern province of Nuristan, said Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, adding that a search and rescue operation was underway to locate the missing.
“Unfortunately, severe floods today in Parun city and several other areas of Nuristan province have caused heavy loss of life and property among our fellow citizens,” Hammad said, noting extensive damage to homes, agricultural land and public facilities.
“We urge all citizens to stay away from flood-prone areas and zones at risk,” he added.
Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events, with snow and heavy rain that trigger flash floods, often resulting in significant casualties. In 2024, more than 300 people died in springtime flash floods. Earlier this year, at least 110 individuals were killed by widespread flooding and landslides across the country.
Decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation, and the intensifying effects of climate change have worsened the impact of such disasters, particularly in remote regions where many homes are built of mud and provide limited protection against sudden floods or heavy snowfall.
“We were saddened to learn that floods caused loss of life and property damage in Nuristan province this afternoon,” commented government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. “We pray for those who lost their lives in this incident and for a speedy recovery for the injured.”
More extreme weather was forecast, with heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds accompanied by dust and sand, and flash floods predicted for ten of the country’s 34 provinces. The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation’s meteorology department warned residents to avoid riverbanks and other areas at risk of flooding.
Such disasters highlight the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by Afghanistan as it contends with both natural and man-made challenges.
