UNICEF Afghanistan Flash Update #3: Central, Eastern, and Northern Regions Flash Floods
12.08.2026
About
On 20 July, heavy rainfall triggered flash floods across several provinces in central, northern and eastern Afghanistan, resulting in casualties, damage to homes and critical infrastructure, and disruption to essential services and livelihoods.
In the Eastern Region (ER), Parun district of Nuristan Province was among the most severely affected areas. Preliminary reports indicate 24 fatalities (26 per cent women, 74 per cent men), and 125 injuries (7 per cent women, 93 per cent men), with additional individuals reported missing. The floods destroyed or damaged 120 houses and affected health facilities, local markets, bridges, roads, flood protection walls, agricultural land and water supply networks, disrupting livelihoods and access to safe drinking water.
On 3 August, a second flash flood struck Barg-e-Matal district in eastern Nuristan, affecting 191 families through destruction or damage to their houses. This flood similarly disrupted livelihoods and damaged critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads, flood protection walls, agricultural land and water supply networks, further constraining access to safe drinking water and essential services.
In the Central Region (CR), flash floods across nine provinces resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. A total of 316 houses were affected, impacting 2,057 people – including 688 girls, 610 boys, 395 women and 364 men. Approximately 1.6 million square metres of agricultural land were destroyed, some 300 livestock were killed, and 17 schools sustained damage, further affecting livelihoods and access to basic services.
A separate flooding incident in Paktia province destroyed 11 houses and damaged agricultural land. A joint needs assessment team has been deployed to assess humanitarian needs, with distribution of assistance planned for 12 August.
The recent flash floods may also have displaced explosive ordnance (EO) or exposed previously buried hazards, increasing protection risks for affected communities and humanitarian personnel operating in flood-affected areas.
