Following widespread widespread snowfall, a provincial official in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan reported on Monday that an avalanche had killed at least six people and trapped thirty more.
Snow is still falling. The number of dead may rise despite the ongoing rescue efforts, according to Jamiullah Hashimi, the provincial head of culture and information, who spoke to AFP.
Overnight on Sunday, an avalanche swept through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan, covering houses in debris and snow.
Hashimi said that about 20 houses were completely destroyed or severely damaged.
“Due to clouds and rain, the helicopter cannot land in Nuristan,” said Maulvi Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in the province, adding that snow had blocked one of the main roads into the province, making “the rescue operation difficult”.
Nuristan province, which borders Pakistan, is mostly covered by mountainous forests and hugs the southern end of the Hindu Kush mountain range.
Although Afghanistan is used to severe winters, this year’s snowfall was delayed in many areas.
Many farmers in a nation heavily dependent on agriculture have been forced to postpone planting due to the abnormally low level of rain.
Afghanistan is among the poorest nations on earth; it has endured decades of conflict, is prone to natural disasters, and is at risk from extreme weather brought on by climate change.
After the US-led invasion, Afghanistan was once awash in humanitarian aid; however, since the Taliban retook power in the middle of 2021, funding to the country has drastically decreased, partly due to the numerous restrictions the group placed on women.
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