KABUL: A landslide triggered by heavy snowfall has killed 25 people and wounded eight others in the eastern Nuristan province of Afghanistan, a disaster management ministry spokesman said on Monday. The disaster struck the village of Nakre in the Tatin Valley of Nuristan overnight on Sunday, engulfing the community in earth, snow, and rubble.
Janan Sayeq, a spokesperson for the disaster management ministry, confirmed the grim toll, expressing concerns that the death count could rise further. The mountainous terrain of Nuristan, bordering Pakistan and mostly covered by dense forests, bore the brunt of the catastrophe, exacerbated by ongoing snowfall hindering rescue efforts.
Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in the province, lamented the challenges faced by rescue teams due to adverse weather conditions, with snow blocking major access routes and rendering helicopter operations impossible.
Jamiullah Hashimi, the provincial head of information and culture, reported extensive destruction, with approximately 20 houses either razed to the ground or severely damaged. He highlighted the scarcity of modern rescue equipment in the remote area, exacerbating the challenges faced by rescue teams reliant on basic tools.
Rescue operations were further complicated by large boulders obstructing access, necessitating the use of explosives to clear a path for responders. The impoverished state of Afghanistan, compounded by decades of conflict, natural disasters, and extreme weather patterns linked to climate change, has left vulnerable communities grappling with recurrent crises.
Climate Change Impact on Afghanistan
Experts underscored the role of deforestation and drought in exacerbating the risks of landslides and floods in mountainous regions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable environmental management practices.
Rohullah Amin, head of climate change at the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), highlighted the detrimental impact of soil erosion triggered by deforestation and lack of vegetation cover, amplifying the vulnerability of communities to such disasters.
Afghanistan continues to confront the challenges of a prolonged drought and dwindling humanitarian aid, compounded by the restrictive policies imposed by the Taliban regime since its resurgence to power in mid-2021.
