Heavy snowfall in Afghanistan; Dozens of people died

15 people were killed and more than 30 injured in the snowfall in Balkh and Faryab provinces of Afghanistan, while 10 thousand cattle were also killed.

According to Afghan media, the provinces of Balkh and Faryab were the most affected by the snowfall. The roads are covered with snow and the means of transportation are missing. Electricity and communication systems were disrupted.

Due to the snowfall for the last two days, the road leading to many provinces of the country including Saling Pass, Ghor, Badghis, Ghazni, Herat and Bamyan has been closed for traffic.

Civil Affairs Ministry spokesman Muhammad Ashraf Haqqeens said that due to the snowfall of the last two days, highways in Saling, several roads in Bamiyan province, Daikundi, Ghazni and some provinces were temporarily closed.

Apart from Balkh and Faryab, a large number of cattle died in Jawzjan, Badghis and Herat due to cold weather and lack of food. Relief operations are facing severe difficulties.

The Taliban government has announced the formation of a committee consisting of various ministries and has allocated 50 million Afghani to compensate the losses of various provinces, especially cattle owners.

Spokesman Misbahuddin Mustin said that committees of the Ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock have been formed in all provinces and since yesterday these committees are trying to open the closed roads.

The spokesman further said that these committees will soon start their services to distribute food and fodder to the people and rescue the stranded people.

Afghan Red Cross spokesman Irfanullah Sharafzoi said that civilians in Badghis, Ghor, Farah, Kandahar, Helmand, Jawzjan, Nuristan and many other provinces are waiting for aid.