Heavy snowfall that triggered avalanches in Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan on Sunday, have killed 119, and injured 89. Nearly 200 houses have been destroyed in past 72 hours, officials said.
Areas that were affected the most, includes a village in Nuristan situated in north-eastern Afghan province on the Pakistan border where 53 people died and dozens more were missing after the entire village was buried under snow, provincial governor Hafiz Abdul Qayum said. “Based on information from district officials, 50 dead bodies have been recovered and the number may increase,” he said.
Wais Ahmad Barmak, Afghanistan’s state minister for Disaster Management and Humanitarian Affairs (ANDMA) confirmed the number of casualties to BBC Afghan.
Heavy snowfall in Afghanistan throughout the weekend has killed more than 100 people, destroyed houses and many are still trapped under the snow. In this photo, an Internally displaced Afghan child cries as he gets stuck in waist-deep snow outside his shelter during a snowfall in Kabul, Afghanistan Feb. 5, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
“Avalanches have buried two entire villages,” of the Barg Matal area in Nuristan, a spokesman for the ministry reportedly said.
The northern province of Badakhshan was also severely hit by the storms stretching over the weekend. Almost 19 people were killed and 17 injured by avalanches, road accidents, and collapsed roofs said Naweed Frotan, a spokesman for the provincial governor. “Several dozens are still trapped, we are trying to rescue them,” he said, adding that numerous roads were still blocked with snow and due to bad weather it had been more difficult.
Two helicopters will be sent to the area to look for people trapped under the snow and also deliver aid, reportedly said Provincial Council member Khalilullah Ghayor.
Heavy snowfall has also affected the Afghan capital, Kabul, which led to closure of offices and the international airport has been closed until the snow is cleared off the runway.
In northern Pakistan a total of 13 people were killed and at least nine people, including children, were killed by an avalanche in the Chitral district. District official Syed Maghferat Shah said, there are many people still trapped under collapsed houses, and the number could go upto 14. “So far the rescue workers have recovered nine bodies and efforts are under way to retrieve more,” he added.
The Salang pass north of Kabul and the Kabul-Kandahar highway were affected intensively by the heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Avalanche hits Afghanistan that killed more than 100 people. In this photo, Afghan men push a car which was stuck in the snow on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan Feb. 5, 2017. Photo: REUTERS/Omar Sobhani
“It [salang pass] will remain blocked until the snow is cleared from the main road, facilities are provided and it is safe to travel,” the Police General, Rajab Salangi said.
There were no casualties reported on the Kabul-Kandahar highway. However, soldiers had to rescue about 250 cars trapped in the snow.
Officials have issued warnings that there are possibilities of more avalanches as snow storms still continue.
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