Snowfall and freezing weather claim 60 lives across Afghanistan

A severe weather crisis, following heavy snowfall over the past few days, had taken the lives of at least 60 individuals across Afghanistan. The extreme weather conditions have left the Afghan population in a dire situation as the majority of them are scrambling to heat their homes with almost zero resources.

The freezing weather also resulted in the significant loss of livestock, with close to 180,000 animals perishing in different provinces.

Spokesman for the National Disaster Authority, Janan Sayiq said that another 23 people were wounded due to heavy snowfall, rains and freezing weather in the last three weeks.

Over 1,600 houses have been partially or completely destroyed and over 177,00 cattle have died during this period of time.

Meanwhile, the national disaster authority with the help of domestic and foreign organizations have been able to provide foodstuffs, non-foodstuffs and cash support to over 22,400 affected families, according to the spokesman.

However, Sayiq did not specify provinces and causality numbers for each province, but some sources say that at least 10 people died due to heavy rain that resulted in the collapse of a home in western Herat province.

Thousands of acres of agricultural land destroyed

Taliban provincial officials had also confirmed that people in Herat have suffered huge financial losses due to heavy rains and floods.  Herat’s governor spokesman, Nisar Ahamd Elias said that 250 to 300 houses have been partially or completely destroyed and the floods also washed away and destroyed thousands of acres of agricultural land.  He also said that over 500 animals have perished in the deadly rains and floods.

A young shepherd looks at a dead sheep in Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, March 2, 2024. (Xinhua)

The recent heavy rains in Herat caused floods in Golran, Adershkan, Chist Sharif, Pashtun Zarghoon, Rabat Sangi and Injil district. Five members of a single family were killed in Sufi Abad area of Anjil district after heavy rains resulted in flood.

Meanwhile, the Slang Pass, a crucial route that links Kabul, the capital city with the northern provinces, has also been blocked due to heavy snowfall.

Afghans scrambling with extreme cold winter with zero facilities  

Afghanistan has been experiencing snow and extreme cold weather every winter with the recent temperature falling to minus 30 degrees Celsius in some areas in the country.

The residents across affected areas are facing dire conditions. They need support in a nutshell as the ongoing heavy snowfall causes widespread anxiety among them. In response to the escalating situation, the Taliban government has to take an immediate measure and establish a committee across various ministries to deal with this uncertain situation and rescue the vulnerable Afghans. The government must pay all focus to deliver aid to the people and evacuation operations should have been taken in order to protect the people from freezing and shift them to the schools, mosques and other facilities where the government can help them collectively.

The emergency fund by some friendly countries, and the international community would also be very useful in protecting these people from cold weather. Meanwhile, the Taliban related organization should assure the public of the proactive measures that have been taken to clear blocked roads, distribute more essential food and fodder, and most importantly find those people who are trapped in cold weather.