Afghanistan is currently facing a major disaster: avalanches in and around Panjshir Valley, about sixty miles north of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. The area, while prone to heavy snow, reported the worst sudden snowfall in decades. The avalanches began on Tuesday and have been continuing since then, with two reported on Thursday. Over 180 people have been reported dead, with many more injured.
The risk from these disasters is very high. The hazards, avalanches, are a serious threat, and are occurring in regions that are especially vulnerable, not only due to their location but also due to the fact that residents of Panjshir Valley tend to be poor farmers. Their low income means that they are unable to afford homes that could potentially protect them from an avalanche. Many homes have been collapsed and buried under feet of snow, killing all residents.
With the avalanches still continuing, exposure is ongoing. This severely degrades the manageability of the disaster. Rescue crews are not able to enter places where there is a high chance that another avalanche will occur, and crews that have been despatched have not even been able to safely traverse the roads to the valley, and are still digging their way there. Heavy snow is forecast to continue for the next two days. The fact that Afghanistan lacks a completely stable government and is currently at war with terrorist groups in the region only exacerbates the humanitarian situation in the area affected by the disaster.
For more information:
Afghanistan in frantic search for avalanche survivors (BBC)
Afghanistan avalanche toll rises to 165 amid rescue efforts (USA Today)
Avalanches kill 186 in Afghanistan (Reuters)
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