Snowstorm in Afghanistan brings sadness and joy

TT

Published 20.19

 

A boy walks in a snow-covered landscape on the outskirts of Kabul. The picture is from January 2023. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT

At least 16 people have died in the past three days in the wake of heavy snow and rainstorms in Afghanistan, authorities say.

The snowstorms have cut off roads and caused traffic accidents in several parts of the country. Traffic in Kabul has also been affected, but no deaths have been reported from there.

At the same time, the precipitation brings joy in the capital, where there is a shortage of water.

Kabul's first snow usually falls in December. But with climate change, temperatures have risen and problems with dwindling groundwater have increased.

"In recent years, the snow has felt like a blessing," 22-year-old Rukhsar Adel told AFP.