Devastating floods have struck the Nuristan province in Afghanistan, leaving more than 100 people missing, according to provincial disaster officials and the governor's office. The disaster agency, ANDMA, confirmed on Monday that 20 bodies have been recovered, while at least 80 individuals have sustained injuries. The impact of the flooding has been widespread, affecting the provincial capital of Parun as well as surrounding areas near the border with Pakistan.
Search-and-rescue operations are currently underway, with emergency teams deployed to the affected regions. ANDMA spokesperson Yusuf Hammad cautioned that the death toll is likely to rise as efforts continue. The governor's office reported that the missing individuals include the mayor of Parun and various government employees. Feraidon Samim, a spokesperson for the Nuristan governor, confirmed that nine bodies were recovered in the capital, while the total number of missing across the province remains above 100.
The destruction in Parun has been severe. Ashiqullah Safi, who heads the local NGO Shpoul, stated that the floodwaters completely destroyed the municipality, alongside numerous hotels and dozens of shops. Residents are reportedly conducting search efforts without specialized equipment, struggling against large boulders left behind by the deluge. The flooding has drawn attention to broader environmental concerns in the country; Mawlavi Mati-ul-Haq Khalis, head of Afghanistan's environmental protection agency, recently noted that an increase in such disasters has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis facing the Afghan population.
