Snow blocks roads in Ghor, Panjsher, Parwan

KABUL province and in a number of districts in central Panjsher and Parwan provinces have been blocked by days of heavy snowfall, officials said on Wednesday.

Ghor National Disasters Management Authority head Hamidullah told Pajhwok Afghan News the snowfall that began last Sunday was still ongoing, leaving all roads across the province blocked.

Almost all districts remain cut off from the provincial capital, creating numerous problems residents, he said. Hundreds of domestic animals and fruit orchards were lost to snow avalanches in Saghar and Chaharsada districts.

Muhammad Eqbal, public works director, confirmed all roads had been blocked, saying thickness of the snow rose to 60 centimeters in some areas. Two passenger vehicles stranded on the Herat-Ghor Highway at the Khak Badag pass were being retrieved, he said.

In Panjsher, the Shatal district has been disconnected from the provincial capital, Parakh, by heavy snow since a week.

Mamoor Gulab chief, the district chief, said the road blockades had created many problems for residents. A large number of household animals were killed by avalanches in the district, he said.

Zakria, a resident, asked the government to come to their rescue as their village was isolated from the rest of the province due to heavy snowing.

The recent heavy snow has also blocked roads in Shinwari and Surkh-o-Parsa districts of Parwan province. Abdul Rahman Zurmati, the provincial council secretary, said all roads connecting the provincial capital with districts had been blocked. A dozen avalanches occurred in Qatandar area, destroying 14 houses and killing 40 animals, he said.

mds/ma

Visits: 1