According to a report published by Khaama Press on Monday, Afghanistan is experiencing severe rains and snowfall, resulting in at least 39 fatalities and over 30 injuries across various provinces. The recent heavy snowfall has blocked numerous communication channels in the provinces and districts.The Ministry of Disaster Management's Janan Sayeq said that thousands of animals have also died due to the snowfall.
"The recent snow and rain have completely or partially destroyed 637 residential homes and claimed the lives of 14,000 livestock," he added, as quoted by ANI.
Photo Credits: The Independent
It is worth noting that the Salang Highway reopened to passenger vehicles on Monday, following four days of snowfall and blizzards. These incidents show how critical crisis management and adequate planning are, as being unprepared can endanger people and property. The recent snowfall has highlighted the importance of strengthening infrastructure resilience and disaster response mechanisms to effectively mitigate future risks. Furthermore, according to statistics from Balkh and Faryab provinces reported by TOLOnews, the snowfalls have had a catastrophic impact on livestock resulting in the loss of nearly ten thousand animals.
Visuals shared by Afghan journalist in exile Bilal Sarwary showed extreme snowfall in western Afghanistan, causing a local to lose his cattle.
Snow is often seen as a blessing but not here for this Afghan men who lost his whole herd of sheep in Badghis province, deep in Western Afghanistan 🇦🇫 pic.twitter.com/Vg3NXG4slo— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) February 29, 2024
Abdul Qadir, a resident of Sar-e-Pul, expressed the population's general anxiety, stating, "The snow is ongoing and very heavy, and people are anxious because their livestock have suffered losses, many roads are blocked, and there is hardly any movement."Another resident, Amanullah, emphasised the critical need for government assistance, particularly for those affected by roadblocks and the plight of hungry livestock.
In response to the crisis, Afghanistan has announced the formation of a committee comprised of various ministries to address the damages, particularly for livestock owners. The government has allocated fifty million Afghanis to assist livestock owners in the provinces of Balkh, Jawzjan, Badghis, Faryab, and Herat.
The Afghan meteorological department predicts snowfall, scattered rains, and flash floods in 32 of the country's 34 provinces over the next 24 hours.
This video from the newly established Albadar province of Sari Pul shows two resilient horses battling extreme snow conditions to navigate their way to their destination. The mission of these mighty animals looks almost impossible.
Let’s Imagine about the challenges faced by… pic.twitter.com/QWMmJJY7Kv— BILAL SARWARY (@bsarwary) March 4, 2024
(With inputs from agencies)
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