Flash floods caused by heavy rainfall on 20 July 2026 have killed at least 26 people across eastern Afghanistan, including 23 in Nuristan province, according to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA.

The worst damage occurred in Parun City, the capital of Nuristan, where a sudden flash flood struck around 3pm local time on 22 July, overwhelming residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. Preliminary assessments show at least 22 houses were destroyed and 45 severely damaged. Infrastructure including four bridges, six road sections, irrigation canals, and flood protection walls also suffered extensive damage, disrupting access to affected communities.

The flooding also claimed the lives of three Afghan refugees at a returnee transit camp near the Torkham border crossing with Pakistan, with nine others injured.

Olga Cherevko from OCHA, speaking from Kabul, said the event damaged homes, roads, bridges, water systems, irrigation infrastructure, and livelihoods. She emphasized that "the immediate priority right now is to save lives and reach people who may still be missing or injured. But as the waters recede, the needs will extend well beyond the initial emergency response."

The floods disrupted safe drinking water access for about 1,000 families after damaging the local water supply network, though no home damage was reported in that area at the time of the latest assessment.

OCHA identified urgent needs including emergency shelter, food assistance, safe drinking water, hygiene supplies, healthcare, psychosocial support, and household essentials for families who have lost homes and livelihoods.

Sources