10 Killed by Heavy snowfall in N. Afghanistan

KABUL: (MEP) – At least ten people were killed and over 1000 domestic animals were lost in Darz Aab and Qush Tepa districts of northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan due to heavy snowfall, said officials.

The Darz Aab districts administrative head, Mihibullah, confirmed the death toll and said that the fatalities had occurred in far-flung villages of Komarleak and Aqbalq. He further said that land routes to the two districts had been blocked due to heavy snowfall, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the affected areas.

According to local district officials, the local people were unable to get fuel for heating their homes due to heavy snowfall. The deputy governor of Jawzjan province, Abdur Rahman Mahmoodi, said that the provincial authorities lacked resources to help the victims, adding that the central government had been approached for assistance.

Earlier, at least six people were killed and hundreds of livestock was lost as key link roads closed three successive days due to heavy snowfall in northeastern Afghan area of Badakhshan and Balkh province. Security officials have been carrying out operations over the past three days to save people and livestock in all effected provinces. Five stranded shepherds were rescued in Balkh and 4,000 domestic animals saved in Kunduz province, said the police chief of Balkh province