KABUL, Afghanistan (Monday, July 20) — At least 105 people, including two domestic tourists, have been reported missing after devastating flash floods struck Parun city, the capital of Nuristan Province, local officials said on Monday.
According to Faridun Samim, spokesperson for the governor of Nuristan, the missing also include the mayor of Parun and his two bodyguards.
Samim said that nine bodies had initially been recovered. However, later reports from local sources told Taand that the bodies of the Parun mayor and six of his companions had also been found.
The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall, caused widespread destruction in Parun, washing away the municipal building, a guesthouse, and numerous shops. The city’s municipal offices, as well as the First Battalion’s headquarters and facilities, were reportedly destroyed.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, while residents say that around 40 bodies have been recovered so far, with more victims being found as the search continues.
Nuristan’s governor has appealed to the central government for urgent emergency assistance.
The flooding began at around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, and weather forecasts indicate that heavy rain is expected to continue on Tuesday.
The disaster comes just after Afghanistan’s Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfall, strong winds, dust storms, and flash floods in 10 provinces on Tuesday.
The provinces under the weather alert are Badakhshan, Nuristan, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Logar, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, and Ghazni.
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