Cold wave in Afghanistan leaves at least 70 dead

The Afghan authorities reported Wednesday that at least 70 people have died due to the wave of freezing temperatures hitting Afghanistan. Extreme weather exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in this poverty-stricken country.

Since January 10, the temperature dropped brutally in Kabul and in other provinces. The central region of Ghor registered the lowest, -33ºC, during the weekend.

“This winter is the coldest in recent years,” said Mohamad Nasim Muradi, head of Afghanistan’s meteorological office. “The cold wave can continue another week or more,” warned Muradi.

The Ministry of Disaster Management stressed that 70 people and 70,000 heads of cattle – a vital product in the poorest sectors of Afghan society – died in the last eight days. Images published on social networks show several roads in the central and northern provinces blocked by heavy snowfall.