Flash floods kill at least 20 in Afghanistan and leave more than 100 missing
Flash floods in Afghanistan's Nuristan province have resulted in at least 20 deaths and over 100 people missing. The disaster, exacerbated by climate change and poor infrastructure, highlights the country's extreme vulnerability to weather-related catastrophes.
Why it matters
The incident underscores the humanitarian crisis caused by climate-driven extreme weather in regions with limited disaster management resources.
Flash floods in eastern Afghanistan have killed 20 people, injured about 80 more and left more than 100 missing, Afghan authorities said Monday (July 20, 2026).
The floods struck the eastern Province of Nuristan, said Yousaf Hammad, spokesman for the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority, adding that a search and rescue operation was underway to locate 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, adding that the floods had caused extensive damage to people's homes, agricultural land and public facilities.
“We urge all citizens to stay away from flood-prone areas and zones at risk,” he said.
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