At least 20 people dead, more than 100 missing after flash floods hit Nuristan province, Afghanistan
Afghanistan: At least 20 people were killed, more than 80 injured, and more than 100 are missing after flash floods hit Parun, the capital of Nuristan province in eastern Afghanistan, on July 20, 2026.
The Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) confirmed that heavy rains caused flash floods, flooding residential areas and markets in Parun city in a short period of time, causing severe damage to homes, agricultural land, roads and public infrastructure.
Local officials said many people were swept away by the floodwaters, while the mayor of Parun and several local officials were also among the missing. Rescue teams are continuing to search for survivors and recover bodies in the affected area, but the work is being hampered by the mountainous terrain and many roads are cut off.
Authorities have urged people to avoid flood-prone areas as weather forecasts indicate that more heavy rain is possible in the province and neighboring areas. Authorities have also confirmed that the current death toll, injured and missing figures are only preliminary and could rise as search and damage assessment operations continue.
