Flash floods have struck eastern Afghanistan, resulting in at least 20 deaths and leaving more than 80 people injured, according to authorities who confirmed the toll late on Monday. The city of Parun in Nuristan province was identified as being hit particularly hard by the disaster.
Yousaf Hammad of the National Disaster Management Authority stated that a rescue mission is currently underway to search for more than 100 people who remain missing. Hammad described the situation as a heavy loss of life and property, noting that the floods caused severe damage to residential homes, local farmland, and essential public facilities. He issued a public appeal for all citizens to remain clear of flood-prone areas and zones identified as being at risk.
A spokesperson for the Taliban government in Kabul expressed condolences for the victims, stating, "We pray for those who lost their lives in this incident and for a speedy recovery for the injured."
The disaster has highlighted the country's vulnerability to extreme weather, which experts attribute to a combination of environmental and systemic factors. Decades of conflict, followed by a significant reduction in foreign investment after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, have left the nation with poor or non-existent prevention infrastructure. These challenges are further compounded by deforestation, a struggling economy, and the ongoing effects of climate change.
Taliban officials have warned that the danger is not over, as more heavy rain, thunderstorms, and extreme winds are predicted to impact 10 of the country's 34 provinces in the coming days.
Some 20 people have been killed and more than 80 injured, with the city of Parun hit particularly hard. A lack of infrastructure and the effects of climate change have left the country vulnerable to natural disaster.
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