At least 26 people have been killed and more than 100 others remain missing after devastating flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains swept through eastern Afghanistan, leaving widespread destruction and prompting fears that the death toll could rise further.
The mountainous province of Nuristan has been the worst affected by the disaster. Torrential rainfall unleashed powerful floods and mudslides that swept away roads, homes, shops and other infrastructure, isolating several communities and complicating rescue efforts. The provincial capital, Parun, was among the areas hit hardest, with emergency teams struggling to reach remote villages buried under mud and debris.
Afghanistan’s National Disaster Management Authority said around 80 people were also injured in the flooding, while search-and-rescue operations continue despite damaged roads and difficult terrain. Bulldozers, emergency workers and local residents have joined the search for survivors, with authorities warning that many of those reported missing may have been swept away by fast-moving floodwaters.
The Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation has issued fresh weather warnings for at least 10 provinces, forecasting more heavy rain, thunderstorms, flash floods and sandstorms in the coming days. Officials have urged residents in vulnerable areas to remain alert and avoid riverbanks and flood-prone locations as the severe weather continues.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to its mountainous landscape, fragile infrastructure and decades of conflict that have weakened disaster response capabilities.
Experts also point to climate change, environmental degradation and widespread poverty as factors that have increased the country’s exposure to deadly floods and landslides in recent years. Similar disasters have repeatedly struck the country, causing significant loss of life and widespread damage to homes, farmland and public infrastructure.
Authorities say rescue operations will continue as long as weather conditions permit, while humanitarian agencies assess the scale of the damage and prepare relief efforts for affected communities.
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