Rescue teams and local residents continued desperate search efforts in Afghanistan’s eastern Nuristan province on Tuesday after devastating flash floods killed at least 23 people and left around 100 others missing.
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The disaster struck Parun, the provincial capital of Nuristan, where torrents of water, mud and massive boulders swept through homes, shops and roads, causing widespread destruction. According to Afghanistan’s national disaster management authority and the provincial governor’s office, the death toll has risen while dozens of people remain unaccounted for.
With heavy debris blocking access, rescuers faced significant challenges in reaching those believed to be trapped beneath mud and collapsed structures. Residents joined the search using wooden poles, shovels and even their bare hands as heavy machinery struggled to operate in the rugged mountainous terrain.
Farid Gul Zaheer, a local pharmacist who was injured while escaping the flood, described the terrifying moment, saying it felt like an earthquake as people and children screamed while rushing to higher ground. He said the flood destroyed homes, businesses and livelihoods, leaving survivors in shock.
Among those reported missing are Parun’s mayor and several government employees. Hotel manager Zakirullah Zaki said the flood completely destroyed nearby markets, hotels and shops, calling the disaster an overwhelming tragedy.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society has deployed volunteers to assist with rescue operations and provide emergency relief, including food, drinking water and temporary shelter for displaced families. Afghanistan’s defence ministry said military personnel had also been sent to support rescue and recovery efforts, while the United Nations is assessing humanitarian needs in the affected region.
Survivors described widespread trauma after the catastrophe, with many families losing loved ones, homes and businesses overnight.
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Afghanistan remains highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, with flash floods becoming increasingly frequent in recent years. Environmental experts have warned that climate change is worsening extreme weather events, further deepening the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis and placing millions at greater risk.