Abnormal cold weather raged in Afghanistan for several weeks: 166 people died

Abnormal cold in Afghanistan did not subside for more than two weeks, the temperature reached -33 Celsius. Due to such severe frosts, at least 166 people died. Writes about it DW.

Photo: IStock

From January 10, the country was gripped by severe frosts, which did not decrease for more than 2 weeks. On January 8, the Ministry of Disaster Management of Afghanistan reported that 166 people became victims of bad weather.

The air temperature repeatedly dropped to -33 degrees Celsius. The frosts were accompanied by heavy snowfalls and freezing rain. There were power outages in many areas. According to local meteorologists, this winter is “by far the coldest in recent years.”

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However, January is usually the coldest and rainiest month in Afghanistan. Due to air masses from the Indian Ocean, up to 79 mm of precipitation is recorded here. The air temperature in January is also the lowest. In the north of the country, the thermometer is at +23°C, in the east the air temperature ranges from -1,1°C - -5°C, and in the south - +7°C - +12°C.

I have the utmost respect and sympathy for the innocent people of Afghanistan. I don't know how you survive these circumstances. My prayers are with you. May you be safe, warm and healthy. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TQeQ2kcZi8

— Kathy Harris (@KathyHa67044449) January 23, 2023

As noted by the World Health Organization (WHO), in one of the villages in Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan, 23 people have died since January 17 from acute respiratory infections alone. Due to difficult weather conditions, it is very difficult for humanitarian workers to reach the area. As the causes of death, the WHO named fires and gas poisoning when people tried to heat the premises.

In addition to weather disasters, Afghanistan is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises

The country is in international isolation due to the coming to power of the radical Islamist movement "Taliban". The country is in an incredible humanitarian crisis. More than half of the 38 million people do not have a secure food supply, and 3 million children regularly face food shortages.

International humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan has been further limited following the Taliban's decision on 24 December 2022 to ban local and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from hiring women. Before that, the authorities banned women from studying at the university.

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Any NGO found not to comply with the order will have its license to operate in Afghanistan revoked, the Economy Ministry said in a statement.

The ban affected more than 180 organizations that were part of the coordinating agency for assistance to Afghanistan (ACBAR). UN humanitarian missions often work in Afghanistan through local organizations that are subject to the ban. Later, an exception was made for the health sector, and some NGOs reopened.

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