At least 23 people have been killed and more than 100 are missing after flash floods hit Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan province, with rescue teams searching through the rubble of destroyed homes for survivors and bodies.

Authorities said 80 people were also injured when the floods struck on Monday, causing an undetermined number of buildings to collapse. The provincial capital, Parun, was among the affected areas. Forecasters have also warned of more extreme weather in 10 of Afghanistan's 34 provinces.

The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority said the search operation was under way on Tuesday. Video footage from Parun showed widespread destruction, with piles of mud, rocks and rubble where buildings once stood. Bulldozers were used to clear mud and broken concrete, while local residents dug through debris with shovels.

Parun resident Zubair Ahmad said, "The flood came through here. We saw bodies being swept away in the floodwaters with our own eyes." He said homes and shops were destroyed, adding, "The flooding caused extensive damage and heavy losses for the local people."

The meteorology department of the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation said on Monday evening that heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds with sand, and flash floods were expected in 10 provinces. The ministry warned residents to stay away from riverbanks and other flood-prone areas.

Afghanistan is highly vulnerable to extreme weather, including snow and heavy rain that trigger flash floods and often kill dozens, and sometimes hundreds, of people at a time. In 2024, more than 300 people died in flash floods during the spring. Earlier this year, at least 110 people were killed in widespread flooding and landslides in several parts of the country.

Decades of conflict, poor infrastructure, a struggling economy, deforestation and the worsening effects of climate change have increased the impact of such disasters, especially in remote areas where many homes are built of mud and offer little protection. The latest floods in Nuristan have left at least 23 dead, more than 100 missing and many injured, as authorities continue search and rescue efforts and brace for more bad weather.

With PTI Inputs

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Published By:

India Today Web Desk

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 19:12 IST