Freezing temperatures claim lives of 27 children in Afghanistan

27 children under the age of 5 have lost their lives in Afghanistan over the past couple of days after heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures hit Darzab district of the northern Jawzjan Province.

The sad report came from district governor Rahmatullah Hashar on Thursday, January 26, 2017. Hashar added there are fears the death toll could rise as roads that connect villages to health centers have been blocked due to heavy snowfall which begun a few days ago.

In addition to snowfall and freezing weather the presence of anti-government militants in parts of Darzab district has also made the living condition tough for the locals to move freely from their villages to the health center, Xinhua quoted local officials.

Reza Ghafoori, the provincial governor’s spokesman, confirmed the toll and said that aid relief would be given to the affected areas.

Darzab has received over 50 cm (1.6 feet) of snow in the past couple of days and the temperatures have dropped to -10 °C (14 °F).

Scores of people are killed each winter in Afghanistan due to heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and avalanches. 

Featured image: Snow covered Afghanistan on January 26, 2017. Credit: NASA/NOAA/DoD Suomi NPP/VIIRS