Flash floods killed at least 20 people and left more than 100 others missing in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province on Monday, Taliban officials said, warning that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue.
Yousuf Hamad, spokesman for the Taliban’s National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), said the floods struck Parun, the provincial capital, and surrounding areas late Monday, leaving about 80 people injured and causing widespread destruction.
“The figures are preliminary,” Hamad said. “The number of casualties and missing people is likely to increase.”
The office of the Taliban governor in Nuristan also confirmed the flooding, saying torrential rains triggered flash floods that lasted for as long as six hours in some areas, causing extensive loss of life and property.
The agency has not yet released details on damage to homes, roads or other infrastructure, and it remains unclear how many people may still be trapped or displaced.
The ANDMA said assessment teams are surveying the affected areas while search and rescue operations continue.
Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to flash flooding, particularly during periods of heavy seasonal rainfall. The country has experienced repeated deadly floods in recent years, with fragile infrastructure and limited disaster response capacity contributing to high casualties.
