KABUL — Flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall in eastern Afghanistan have killed at least 23 people and left more than 100 others missing, authorities said on Wednesday, as rescue teams searched through debris in the mountainous province of Nuristan amid warnings of further severe weather.
The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said the flooding struck Nuristan on Monday, causing widespread destruction in and around the provincial capital, Parun. The agency said about 80 people were injured and an undetermined number of homes and other buildings collapsed after torrents of water swept through communities.
Rescue crews, assisted by local residents, continued searching for survivors and recovering bodies despite difficult conditions. Video from the affected areas showed streets buried under mud, rocks and debris, while bulldozers cleared blocked roads and volunteers dug through collapsed structures with hand tools. Officials cautioned that the death toll could rise because many people remained unaccounted for in remote areas.
The disaster management authority said search and recovery operations were continuing across Parun and surrounding districts. Access to several affected communities has been complicated by damaged infrastructure and the rugged terrain, slowing emergency response efforts.
Afghanistan's meteorological authorities have warned of additional heavy rain, thunderstorms and the risk of flash flooding across 10 provinces, raising concerns that rescue efforts could be disrupted and that further flooding may occur in vulnerable areas.
Afghanistan is among the countries most exposed to extreme weather despite contributing little to global greenhouse gas emissions. Decades of conflict, fragile infrastructure, environmental degradation and widespread poverty have left many communities highly vulnerable to floods, droughts and other climate-related disasters, particularly in rural mountainous regions.
The country has experienced repeated deadly flooding in recent years. More than 300 people were killed in major floods in 2024, while earlier flooding this year also caused significant casualties, underscoring the recurring threat posed by seasonal heavy rains.
Authorities said rescue and recovery operations remained underway on Wednesday as officials continued to assess the scale of the damage and search for those still missing.
