Twenty killed, 100 missing after flash floods hit Afghanistan, authorities say

Flash floods have devastated northeastern Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people and leaving 100 missing, according to the Taliban-run government. The hardest-hit area was Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, where the National Disaster Management Authority reported extensive damage and over 80 injuries.

Taliban officials announced a search and rescue operation was underway in the remote Nuristan province, which borders Pakistan. Rescuers expressed grave concerns about the potential for severe human and financial losses. The disaster highlights Afghanistan's vulnerability to climate change, which has led to increased drought in some regions and heavier rainfall in others.

Deforestation in Nuristan and other provinces has worsened the impact of flash floods in recent decades. By reducing the soil's ability to absorb rainwater, deforestation contributes to faster and more destructive runoff. The government is grappling with the immediate crisis while facing long-term environmental challenges.

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Severe financial and human losses