Heavy snowfall and torrential rains have battered Afghanistan, resulting in 11 fatalities and three injuries, as confirmed by disaster officials on Thursday. The toll reflects the severity in provinces including Parwan, Wardak, Kandahar, Jowzjan, Faryab, and Bamyan.
Residents in these eastern, southern, northern, and central districts face acute suffering from the adverse conditions. Blizzards not only took lives but partially razed nine homes and wiped out 530 livestock, undermining vital agricultural sectors.
Major thoroughfares remain impassable due to ice buildup, stalling relief convoys. Intensive efforts to plow routes and distribute supplies are underway to reconnect stranded populations.
The onslaught commenced Wednesday and persists, with weather experts forecasting additional storms ahead. Precautions are paramount as vulnerabilities peak.
Amid this, the return of Afghan refugees deported from Pakistan amplifies risks, per MSF’s early-month warning. January 7 findings revealed dire camp conditions—scarce shelter, healthcare, water, and meals—forcing exposure on the undocumented and registered alike.
Pakistan mission leader Shou Weibing highlighted pervasive dread among families, beseeching worldwide humanitarian bolstering. MSF deems winter a potential ‘silent killer’ absent swift aid escalation.
Afghanistan’s authorities, alongside partners, intensify operations to avert escalation. This episode spotlights the interplay of climate extremes, geopolitical displacements, and infrastructural frailties, demanding holistic interventions for resilience.