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Afghanistan battles against cold and snow

Afghanistan is struggling to cope with its coldest and snowiest winter in 15 years. Over 40 people have died so far

Afghanistan is no stranger to cold weather. The average night time temperature in February is minus 6C.
Published On 21 Feb 2012
Heavy snowfall and avalanches kill scores of people in Afghanistan each winter.
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In 2010, avalanches killed more than 150 people in the high-altitude Salang pass through the Hindu Kush mountain range that connects Kabul to the north.
This winter has been one of the most severe in the last 15 years.
With so much snow falling, spades have become a valuable commodity.
The heavy snow has meant that normal life has become far more difficult.
The lowest temperature recorded in Kabul at night, was a bone-chattering minus 17C.
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The situation is particularly hazardous for the 35,000 people living in refugee camps in the middle of Kabul.
The camps are full of families who have fled the fighting in areas like Helmand Province in the south. These camps have no heating or electricity.
The harsh winter has led to the deaths of at least 40 children in Afghanistan in the last month, two dozen of those were living in the refugee camps.
Despite the problems it has caused, the snow is needed in Afghanistan, as it has remained in the grip of a drought for the last 12 years.
However, the severely low temperatures are taking their toll on all those who live in the country.
Temperatures in Kabul are expected to stay well below freezing over the next few days.