Afghanistan flash floods kill at least 20 in Nuristan, over 100 missing including Parun's mayor

What happened

Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall tore through Afghanistan's remote northeastern province of Nuristan on Monday. The Afghan national disaster management authority confirmed that at least 20 people have been killed and more than 80 others injured across the province. The provincial capital, Parun, bore the brunt of the destruction. Feraidon Samim, a spokesperson for the Nuristan governor, stated that 105 people are missing in the city alone, with nine bodies recovered so far. The missing include Parun's mayor and several other government officials.

Ashiqullah Safi, the head of an NGO based in Parun, described the scene to journalists. The flood had "completely destroyed the municipality," including hotels and dozens of shops. He reported that the rushing waters left large boulders strewn across the town, and residents were searching for the missing without any equipment. The Guardian noted that a market, shops, and other buildings were situated close to the Parun riverside, making them highly vulnerable.

Official response

The national disaster management agency acknowledged "severe financial and human losses" in Parun and said rescue operations were underway to recover the injured and the bodies of those killed. Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson for the Afghan government, posted on X to confirm the reports of deaths and property damage in Nuristan.

Wider pattern of flooding

Earlier in July, Matiul Haq Khalis, the head of Afghanistan's environmental protection agency, warned that flooding in the country had increased. He said environmental problems "have severely affected the Afghan people and have contributed to a humanitarian crisis in the country." The Guardian's report added that extreme rainfall has become more common and more intense globally due to the human-caused climate crisis, as warmer air holds more water vapour, leading to heavier downpours.

The affected region

Nuristan is a remote province located in eastern Afghanistan, bordering Pakistan. The capital, Parun, sits in a mountainous area where many buildings are constructed directly beside the river, a factor that amplified the destruction when water levels rose suddenly on Monday.