Heavy snow, rain, avalanches and cold in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan have killed dozens over the past three days. The weather conditions have forced the Afghan government to declare a nationwide holiday.
Image: Reuters/M. Ismail
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Avalanches kill more than 100 people
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At least 37 people in Afghanistan and Pakistan have died in avalanches, collapsed houses and road accidents over the past few days as heavy snow blankets several regions in the two countries.
Northern Afghanistan's Badakhshan province has been particularly badly hit, with as many as 19 people dying as a result of the winter weather since Friday, according to officials.
The government was trying to reach at least 12 districts in the province that had been completely cut off, said a spokesman for the provincial governor, Naweed Frotan.
A spokesman for the Afghanistan Natural Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) said 22 of the country's 34 provinces had experienced heavy snow, and that avalanches had destroyed some 20 homes. Another 50 had been heavily damaged, he said.
He added that many roads, especially in central and northern Afghanistan, remained closed.
The international airport in the capital, Kabul, was also closed, and the government declared a nationwide holiday on Sunday owing to the wintery conditions.
Badakhshan is one of the worst-hit regions
Deaths in Pakistan
The weather has also had calamitous effects across the border in Pakistan, where at least nine people, including children, were killed by an avalanche that hit a village of 25 houses in the northern district of Chitral.
District official Syed Maghferat Shah said as many as 14 residents were still believed to be trapped in collapsed houses.
Afghanistan in winter
Afghanistan is experiencing heavy snowfall, rain, avalanches and extreme cold in several regions. Much of the country is covered in a blanket of icy white.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Marai
Afghanistan: Winter landscapes
Snow and ice have taken over in Afghanistan, with plains, forests and hills all transformed under a layer of brilliant whiteness. The capital, Kabul, is one of the regions changed into a winter landscape, its trees stretching branches clad in silvery raiment.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Marai
Taking shelter from the cold
The temperatures outside makes the warmth of a heated home seem tempting. These internally displaced Afghan girls are staying close to the stove, but still seem cold.
Image: Reuters/M. Ismail
Hard to get around
Traveling by car has become quite an adventure, with snow wreaking havoc on traffic on a number of major roads. Even here, on the outskirts of the capital, Kabul, conditions for driving are perilous.
Image: Reuters/O. Sobhani
It's an ill wind ...
The inclement weather has caused problems across much of the country. But snow has its positive side as well, as these young men can confirm.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/S. Marai
A trial for the displaced
The poor security situation in many areas of Afghanistan has displaced thousands of people. They are among those to suffer most under the cold conditions, like this child in Kabul.
Image: Reuters/M. Ismail
Discipline overcomes the cold
The cold weather seems not to worry these students. They still gave a display of wushu on a hilltop in Kabul.
Image: Reuters/M. Ismail
A necessary task
Snow has fallen in huge quantities, with the government even declaring a public holiday because of the inconvenience. This gives people time to clear roofs so they do not collapse under the weight.
Image: Reuters/O. Sobhani
Well rugged up
These donkeys stand patiently in the snow while their owner fills a container with rainwater. They may be pleased that they have be given coats in addition to their natural protection.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F. Usyan
An unabominable snowman
Another pleasure of snow is undoubtedly building snowmen. And this one standing near Qargha Lake on the outskirts of Kabul towers over its creators.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/W. Kohsar
Hard to stay upright
Travel by any means has been made difficult by the weather. This man pushing his heavily loaded bike seems to feel that two wheels are inadequate on the slippery roads.
Image: Reuters/O. Sobhani
The show must go on
This intrepid vegetable seller has not let himself be put off by the weather. But his customers seem understandably to prefer to remain indoors.
