UNICEF Afghanistan Flash Update #4: Central, Eastern, and Northern Regions Flash Floods.

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A series of flash flood events between 20 July and 3 August affected central and eastern Afghanistan, resulting in casualties, damage to houses and critical infrastructure, and disruption to essential services and livelihoods.

In the Eastern Region (ER), Parun district in central Nuristan Province, was among the most severely affected areas. Preliminary reports
1 indicate 24 fatalities and 125 injuries, with additional individuals reported missing. The floods destroyed or damaged 120 houses and affected one private health facility, local markets, bridges, roads, flood protection walls, agricultural land and water supply networks, disrupting livelihoods and access to safe drinking water.

Subsequently, on 3 August, a second flash flood struck Barg-e-Matal district in eastern Nuristan, affecting 191 houses, which were either destroyed or damaged. The floods also damaged bridges, roads, flood protection walls, agricultural land and water supply networks, further disrupting livelihoods and constraining access to safe drinking water and essential services.

In the Central Region (CR), flash floods across nine provinces 2 resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. A total of 316 houses were affected, impacting 2,057 people. Approximately 1.6 million square meters of agricultural land were damaged, around 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. On 12 August, humanitarian partners carried out a joint emergency response to affected communities.

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-affect areas.