Rescuers scour mud-clogged debris for Afghan flood victims; 150 dead

An Afghan is treated at a hospital after a mudslide during heavy flooding in Parwan province, north of Kabul. "The situation is very grim, the scale of loss is intense," as many children were among the dead. The death toll was expected to rise as families prepared for mass burials with extensive rubble yet to be cleared.

Sudais, 6, An Afghan boy treatment at a hospital after a mudslide during heavy flooding in the Parwan province, north of Kabul. The death toll from flash floods in Afghanistan rose to 150 on Thursday as survivors and rescue workers combed through the debris of more than 1,500 homes that were destroyed to the north of the capital.

Afghanistan regularly suffers from drought but can be hit by very heavy rain during the south Asian monsoon. Above, a villager reacts next to his destroyed house as rescuers search for bodies after a flash flood affected the area at Sayrah-e-Hopiyan in Charikar.

A burqa-clad woman stands near a young girl among households' debris. "The search is still on as many people, we fear, are still buried under the rocks and rubble,".

Villagers and rescuers search among households' debris using an excavator as others watch after a flash flood affected the area at Sayrah-e-Hopiyan in Charikar. The effort has been hampered by blocked and damaged roads.

A villager inspects a damaged car among the debris of houses after a flash flood affected the area at Sayrah-e-Hopiyan in Charikar, Parwan province.

Villagers and security personnel gather after a flash flood affected the area at Sayrah-e-Hopiyan in Charikar. Authorities moved more than 900 families out of areas of mountainous Parwan province that were devastated by the flash floods, triggered by exceptionally heavy rain this week.

A young villager retrieves belongings from the debris of houses after a flash flood affected the area at Sayrah-e-Hopiyan.

An Afghan small girl, center, treatment at a hospital after a mudslide during heavy flooding in the Parwan province.

Authorities moved more than 900 families out of areas of mountainous Parwan province that were devastated by the flash floods, triggered by exceptionally heavy rain this week. Above, women walk among households' debris.