Kabul, July 21: A severe flood in the Paroon city of Afghanistan’s Nuristan province has resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, with over 80 others injured, according to local media reports on Tuesday.
Citing a statement from Taliban officials, the Afghanistan news agency Khaama Press reported that more than 100 people are still missing following the floods in Paroon and surrounding areas.
The Taliban’s National Disaster Management Authority stated that the heavy flooding in Nuristan has caused extensive damage, affecting a large number of people and resulting in significant property loss.
Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Hamd, the authority’s head of information and publications, mentioned that special teams have been dispatched to the affected areas to assess the situation, search for missing individuals, and evaluate the damage.
The floods have damaged or completely destroyed numerous residential homes, agricultural land, and shops, leading to substantial economic losses. Hamd noted that the death toll and number of injuries may change as rescue and search operations continue.
According to Khaama Press, following reports of over 100 people missing, officials fear that the death toll may rise as rescue efforts progress. Rescue teams are searching for those swept away by the floods and for survivors.
The floods were triggered by heavy rainfall in Nuristan. The region’s mountainous terrain and limited road access pose significant challenges for rescue operations.
Afghanistan is already highly vulnerable to extreme weather events such as landslides, droughts, and floods. The impact of natural disasters is exacerbated by weak infrastructure and difficulties in relief efforts.
Earlier in May, strong winds and storms in Afghanistan’s Kandahar, Herat, Ghor, and Takhar provinces resulted in six deaths and 11 injuries.
According to the Afghanistan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA), the storms caused destruction to roads, wells, agricultural land, trees, and hundreds of solar panels during that period.
ANDMA spokesperson reported that six people died and 11 were injured due to storms, lightning, and floods in Kandahar, Herat, Takhar, and Ghor provinces, with 20 homes completely destroyed and 10 others partially damaged.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
