Image by NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
In early February, there were avalanches in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which killed over 100 people.
CNN explains, “At least 156 people have died along the Afghan-Pakistani border after three days of heavy snowfall caused a series of deadly avalanches Sunday.”
The deadliest avalanche was in a village on the Afghan-Pakistan border.
BBC reports, “In the deadliest incident, 53 people died in one village after an avalanche in Nuristan, a north-eastern Afghan province on the Pakistan border.” In this province, supplies were being flown for those who were struggling and had survived the avalanche.
Per NPR, “At least one helicopter was shuttling supplies and people to the province of Nuristan, on the border with Pakistan northeast of Kabul, where provincial Gov. Hafiz Abdul Qayyom told Agence France-Presse that at least 64 people were killed. Most of the deaths occurred in one devastated village, he said.”
Most of those who were injured or killed were in Afghanistan.
CNN reports, “Most of the casualties occurred in Afghanistan, where at least 143 have been killed and 103 are reported injured and 300 civilian homes have been destroyed, said Omar Mohammadi, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Authority.”
Afghanistan was not the only country that received significant snowfall and avalanches. Pakistan also had avalanches.
NPR explains, “CNN reported that people also died in an avalanche on the other side of the border, in Pakistan. The BBC said at least 13 people there died, nine of them in the town of Chitral.” Not only were people killed or injured, but people’s houses were also destroyed.
Per CNN, “The dead in Garam Chashma include four women, four children and one man, Ahmed said. The devastating wave of pounding snow and ice left 19 houses in the area damaged.”
The snow left the International Airport in Kabul closed and flights cancelled.
NPR reports, “Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul was closed on Sunday, after nearly 2 feet of snow covered the runways, according to Afghanistan’s TOLO News, and north of the capital, the Salang pass into the Hindu Kush mountains was reportedly buried under 7 feet of snow.” Open Doors seeks to serve those Christians who work in closed countries, where practicing Christianity is illegal, including Afghanistan.
Open Doors explains, “To help persecuted Christians in Afghanistan, Open Doors provides emergency aid, counseling, literacy training, radio programs, vocational projects, biblical and pastoral training courses and more.” Please pray for Christians in Afghanistan, that they would be able to spread the Gospel.
CNN: More than 100 die as avalanches bury villages in Afghanistan, Pakistan
BBC: Afghanistan and Pakistan avalanches kill more than 100
NPR: More Than 100 People Killed In Afghanistan Avalanches
