Accessibility links

Subscribe
All RFE/RL sites
All RFE/RL websites Follow RFE/RL on Google
site logo site logo
Previous Next
Breaking News
News

Extreme Weather In Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan Leaves 15 Dead

Snow blankets the outskirts of Herat, Afghanistan.
1/17 Snow blankets the outskirts of Herat, Afghanistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Kandahar, Afghanistan has not seen such heavy snow for 30 years.
2/17 Kandahar, Afghanistan has not seen such heavy snow for 30 years.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
A rare sight: snow accumulates on cars in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
3/17 A rare sight: snow accumulates on cars in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Snow covers a field in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
4/17 Snow covers a field in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Snow fell across much of Iran, with some of the heaviest in the northern province of Mazandaran.
5/17 Snow fell across much of Iran, with some of the heaviest in the northern province of Mazandaran.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
In the northern province of Mazandaran, residents reported electricity shortages that were blamed on the heavy snow.
6/17 In the northern province of Mazandaran, residents reported electricity shortages that were blamed on the heavy snow.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
In Iran's Mazandaran Province, a bicyclist tries his luck on a snowy road.
7/17 In Iran's Mazandaran Province, a bicyclist tries his luck on a snowy road.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
The slippery conditions made driving difficult in Iran's Mazandaran Province.
8/17 The slippery conditions made driving difficult in Iran's Mazandaran Province.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Many people got around on foot in Iran's Gilan Province.
9/17 Many people got around on foot in Iran's Gilan Province.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Young people play in the snow in a park in Iran's capital, Tehran.
10/17 Young people play in the snow in a park in Iran's capital, Tehran.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
A car needs a push to get up a small hill for a refill in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe.
11/17 A car needs a push to get up a small hill for a refill in Tajikistan's capital, Dushanbe.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Pedestrians take to the streets in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
12/17 Pedestrians take to the streets in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Snow coats the sidewalks, roads, and trees in Tajikistan's capital.
13/17 Snow coats the sidewalks, roads, and trees in Tajikistan's capital.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Snowy, icy roads in Dushanbe, Tajikistan made it tough going for motorists.
14/17 Snowy, icy roads in Dushanbe, Tajikistan made it tough going for motorists.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
A cleanup crew works to clear the heavy snow in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
15/17 A cleanup crew works to clear the heavy snow in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Snow slows traffic in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
16/17 Snow slows traffic in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
A tanker truck gets stuck in Kulob, Tajikistan.
17/17 A tanker truck gets stuck in Kulob, Tajikistan.
Heavy snowfalls over the last few days caused traffic chaos, electricity shortages, and other difficulties in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
Previous slide
Next slide
At least 15 people have been killed after heavy snow blanketed parts of Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

At least 10 deaths were blamed on the bad weather, including avalanches, over the past several days in Afghanistan.

Officials in the Afghan Department for Natural Disasters told RFE/RL that the severe weather had affected northern provinces bordering Tajikistan, where numerous flights have also been canceled at the international airport in Dushanbe, the capital.

Airports in two major cities in Tajikistan's south, Kulob and Qurghon-Teppa, have been completely shut down.

In some parts of Tajikistan, up to 80 centimeters of snow reportedly fell in just a few hours.

Tajik kindergartens, schools, and universities have been closed until February 10.

In neighboring Kyrgyzstan, meanwhile, avalanches killed five people.

The airport in the southern city of Jalal-Abad has been closed.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan and Tajik and Kyrgyz services
  • 16x9 Image

    RFE/RL

    RFE/RL journalists report the news in 24 languages in 18 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate.

This item is part of
​
XS
SM
MD
LG