At least 50 people have died in flash floods triggered by heavy rains in central Afghanistan, officials have said.

Authorities in Ghor province say a number of others are missing, as people ran to safety on higher grounds just minutes before the floodwaters hit, the BBC reported. 

They say the floods have also killed thousands of cattle, destroyed some 2,000 houses, and damaged many more.

The fresh bout of heavy rain follows widespread flooding in northern and central areas of the country. 

Over a week ago, more than 300 people died after unusually heavy rains devastated scores of villages in the north, according to UN and Taliban officials.