105 missing as flood hits Afghan town

A devastating flood swept through Parun town, the capital of Afghanistan's Nuristan province, on Monday, July 20, leaving more than 100 people missing and nine bodies recovered. The governor's office confirmed the grim toll, with the missing including the town's mayor and several government employees.

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105 people are missing, nine dead bodies are recovered.

Journalists who visited the remote northeastern area observed that the floodwaters had obliterated the municipality building, hotels, and dozens of shops. Residents, lacking equipment, were seen searching the debris for survivors amidst large boulders deposited by the powerful torrent.

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the flood had 'completely destroyed the municipality' as well as hotels and dozens of shops.

Afghanistan's disaster management agency, ANDMA, reported "severe financial and human losses" in Parun. Efforts are underway to rescue the injured and recover the bodies of those who perished. The head of Afghanistan’s environmental protection agency recently noted an increase in flooding across the country, attributing it to environmental problems that exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

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floods had caused 'severe financial and human losses' in Parun.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a top spokesman for the Afghan government, acknowledged the deaths and property damage in Nuristan province via a post on X. The scale of the destruction highlights the vulnerability of communities in remote areas to natural disasters, particularly in a country already facing significant humanitarian challenges.

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Environmental problems 'have severely affected the Afghan people and have contributed to a humanitarian crisis in the country'.