AT LEAST 20 DEAD AFTER FLOODS HIT AFGHANISTAN

KABUL, JULY 20 /SRNA-REUTERS/ - At least 20 people have been killed in floods in northeastern Afghanistan, the Taliban-run government said.

The death toll is expected to rise, as 100 people are still reported missing. At least 80 people have been injured.

The greatest damage was reported in Parun, the capital of Nuristan province, according to the statement.

Taliban officials said that a search and rescue operation has been launched in the province on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Afghanistan is among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Some parts of the country have become more prone to droughts, while others are exposed to increased rainfall.

Deforestation in Nuristan and other provinces has further worsened flash floods over recent decades.