<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;">At least 12 people were killed and up to 40 more are missing following a flash flood caused by torrential rain in central Afghanistan, a government spokesman said Sunday.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Zabihullah Mujahid said urgent aid was being rushed to the disaster zone in the Jalrez district of Maidan Wardak province.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"With great sadness we have received the news that 12 of our compatriots have been martyred and 40 others are missing," he said in a statement.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Some financial losses have also been incurred."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Although Afghanistan lies on the western edge of the Asian monsoon footprint, flash floods happen regularly during the wet season as heavy rain courses down dry riverbeds. AFP</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>