Several Killed As Bad Weather Strikes Afghanistan, Central Asia
Afghanistan has been blanketed in snow in recent days.
At least 19 people have been killed after heavy snow blanketed parts of Afghanistan and neighboring Central Asian states.
The deputy governor of Afghanistan's northwestern province of Jowzjan, Abdul Rahman Mahmoudi, said on February 5 that heavy snow fell from January 31 to late on February 4 and it has been blamed for the deaths of 14 local residents, including five children.
In Tashkent, the capital of neighboring Uzbekistan, snow caused a plane to slip off a runway on February 5. No one was hurt in the incident.
Another plane in neighboring Tajikistan's southern city of Kulob also skidded off a runway on February 3 due to heavy snow. No one was hurt there either.
All Tajik schools and universities have been closed until February 10.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, avalanches caused by heavy snowfall have killed five people over the past several days.
PHOTO GALLERY: Heavy Snow From The Middle East To Central Asia
Heavy Snows From The Middle East To Central Asia
1/17Snow 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.
2/17Kandahar, 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.
3/17A 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.
4/17Snow 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.
5/17Snow 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.
6/17In 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.
7/17In 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.
8/17The 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.
9/17Many 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.
10/17Young 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.
11/17A 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.
12/17Pedestrians 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.
13/17Snow 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.
14/17Snowy, 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.
15/17A 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.
16/17Snow 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.
17/17A 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.
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With reporting by dpa, Pajhwok, and RFE/RL's Tajik, Uzbek and Kyrgyz services
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