Afghanistan: Deadly flash floods hit Nuristan province

Flash floods swept through eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province, claiming at least 20 lives and leaving more than 100 people missing, officials confirmed late Monday. The disaster also injured 80 others and caused extensive damage to homes, farmland, and public infrastructure.

Yousaf Hammad of the National Disaster Management Authority stated that rescue missions are actively searching for the missing. "Unfortunately, severe floods today in Parun city and several other areas of Nuristan province have caused heavy loss of life and property among our fellow citizens,” Hammad said, urging residents to avoid flood-prone areas.

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Unfortunately, severe floods today in Parun city and several other areas of Nuristan province have caused heavy loss of life and property among our fellow citizens.

A Taliban government spokesman offered prayers for the deceased and wished a swift recovery for the injured. Afghanistan faces a heightened risk from extreme weather events due to a combination of factors. Decades of conflict and the withdrawal of foreign aid following the Taliban's return in 2021 have left disaster prevention infrastructure in a critical state.

Compounding these issues are deforestation, a struggling economy, and the escalating impacts of climate change. Forecasters predict continued heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across several Afghan provinces in the coming days.

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We pray for those who lost their lives in this incident and for a speedy recovery for the injured.