Extremely cold temperatures have killed 70 people in Afghanistan this winter. Spokesperson for national disaster management reported this to dpa today.
Afghan media also reported on the deadly effects of winter in combination with the prevailing economic crisis. News channel Amu TV reported 32 deaths on Monday.
APA/AFP/Wakil Kohsar
Temperatures below minus 20 degrees
According to the United Nations, the “extremely cold weather” has also killed thousands of livestock in many parts of the country. According to meteorological experts, temperatures could drop further in the coming days.
Cold winters are not uncommon in Afghanistan, but temperatures are particularly dropping this year. In the capital Kabul, temperatures of up to minus 20 degrees were reported on some days. Residents of the capital reported to the dpa about frozen water pipes. Heavy snow blocked main roads in many places, as reported by the disaster administration.
Economic crisis and sanctions
Then there is the prevailing economic crisis, intensified by sanctions against the militant Islamist Taliban. Many organizations also suspended their humanitarian work for a few weeks after the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for humanitarian organizations at the end of the year.
Extreme weather could pose even more problems for Afghanistan in the future, as the country is one of the most threatened by the climate crisis. Afghanistan itself hardly contributed to global emissions.