Heavy snowfall and cold temperatures have led to significant losses in livestock across seven provinces of Afghanistan. Reports from Hasht-e Subh Daily indicate that more than 30,000 livestock perished due to the severe weather conditions.
Extent of Losses
As per to the report, a staggering 30,858 cattle died in provinces including Balkh, Panjshir, Sarpol, Faryab, Samangan, Takhar, and Kandahar. Taliban officials specifically cited that 11,418 cattle succumbed to the adverse weather in Balkh province alone within a short span of time.
In Panjshir, heavy snowfall resulted in the damage of 10 houses and claimed the lives of 100 cattle. Similarly, the provinces of Sarpol, Faryab, and Samangan collectively recorded losses of at least 12,000 cattle. Takhar reported 1,670 cattle deaths, while Kandahar witnessed 5,670 livestock fatalities.
Authorities have initiated efforts to clear transport routes blocked by snow and to provide essential supplies, including animal feed and food, to residents in remote areas. These measures aim to alleviate the impact of the severe weather conditions on the affected communities.
Human Tol
In addition to the livestock losses, the adverse weather has also claimed human lives. Janan Saiq, spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Disaster Management, reported that at least 20 people lost their lives, with 14 others sustaining injuries over the past 12 days due to heavy snowfall and extreme cold.
Earlier Daryo reported that experts at EastFruit have cautioned that a rapid decrease in temperatures in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan may affect onion prices in the area. The cold air poses a risk to the early vegetable harvest, such as onions, cabbage, and carrots, typically gathered in March from southern areas. Furthermore, the production of cereal grains and nuts is also at risk.
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