Extreme weather has unleashed devastation across Afghanistan, with heavy snowfalls and rains responsible for 11 deaths and three injuries. The National Disaster Management Authority’s spokesperson delivered the update Thursday, as rescue teams race against the elements.
Affected areas span a wide swath: Parwan and Wardak in the east, Kandahar in the south, Jowzjan and Faryab up north, and Bamyan centrally. Local populations in these provinces are reeling from the onslaught, their daily lives upended by nature’s wrath.
Damage assessments reveal nine houses partially destroyed by gale-force winds and snow loads. Tragedy extended to farmlands, where 530 animals froze or starved, threatening food security and incomes in rural economies. Blocked highways due to black ice have severed supply lines, prompting urgent snow-clearing missions to restore access and rush in relief.
Since Wednesday, the precipitation has been unyielding, and meteorologists predict more in store. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and prepare for prolonged disruptions.
This natural calamity overlaps with a brewing humanitarian emergency from Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan refugees. MSF flagged the dangers in early January, noting returnees crammed into substandard camps devoid of basics like shelter and medical care. Khama Press reported on the plight, emphasizing risks to those without documentation or valid papers.
With winter deepening, fears mount for families torn by deportation anxieties. MSF’s Pakistan head, Shou Weibing, implored global aid groups for immediate intervention. Without adequate support, the cold could claim countless more lives, turning a seasonal hardship into a full-blown catastrophe.
Government and aid agencies are mobilizing resources, but the scale of need underscores Afghanistan’s vulnerability. Long-term strategies for climate resilience and refugee integration are urgently required to prevent future escalations.