Leslie Massey
Afghanistan has an arid continental climate with considerable temperature variation between seasons. While the southern arid regions regularly experience temperatures over 35°C, mountainous regions can see annual temperatures well below zero. In January 2023, a cold snap saw temperatures fall to as low as -33°C to -34°C, with snowfall as high as 30 centimetres in more mountainous regions. This cold snap killed at least 160 people, with media reports stating the figure could be over 162, and caused the deaths of nearly 80,000 livestock.
What You'll Learn
Temperatures can fall as low as -34°C
Afghanistan's arid continental climate sees temperatures vary greatly by altitude. While the southern arid regions regularly experience temperatures over 35°C, the mountainous regions can see temperatures fall to well below zero. In January 2023, Afghanistan experienced its coldest winter in 15 years, with temperatures dropping to as low as -34°C (-29.2°F). This extreme cold snap killed at least 160 people, making it the deadliest weather event of that year until Cyclone Freddy.
The cold wave began on 10 January 2023, with temperatures reaching as low as -33°C (-27°F) and snowfall as high as 30 centimetres (12 inches) in the mountainous regions. The severe cold, coupled with the ongoing famine affecting over half of Afghanistan's population, created a dire humanitarian crisis. The situation was further exacerbated by the Taliban's restrictions on female aid workers, which led to the partial suspension of operations by many aid organisations.
The impact of the cold snap was devastating, with over 77,000 livestock killed and more than 50 houses damaged across the country. The lack of access to affordable heating resulted in the hospitalisation of at least 140 people in Herat Province for carbon monoxide poisoning from using gas for warmth. The extreme winter, coming amidst a severe economic crisis, left many Afghans struggling to choose between food and warmth.
The Afghan government's lack of preparedness for such extreme weather events and the ongoing international isolation have contributed to the country's challenges in coping with the humanitarian crisis. The Taliban authorities' restrictions on female aid workers have further hindered relief efforts, as they have limited the ability of aid organisations to operate in the conservative country. However, some organisations have resumed operations after assurances that women would be allowed to work in health-related aid.
The cold wave lasted until the end of January or early February, with climate experts attributing the weather anomalies to polar vortex disruptions, bringing strong arctic winds and masses of cold air to the region.
Afghanistan's Complex War: Drugs, Power, and Foreign Influence
You may want to see also
The coldest winter in 15 years
Afghanistan has been experiencing its coldest winter in 15 years, with temperatures dipping as low as -34°C (-29.2°F). This extreme cold weather has led to a challenging situation for the country's residents, who are facing a stark choice between buying food or fuel to keep warm. The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing economic crisis and the partial suspension of aid operations due to restrictions on female NGO workers.
The cold snap began on January 10, 2023, and has resulted in the deaths of at least 160 people, with many more hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning due to using gas for heating. The freezing temperatures have also resulted in the loss of over 77,000 livestock, further threatening the country's food security. The situation is particularly dire in the more mountainous regions, where snowfall has reached up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) and temperatures have plummeted to -33°C (-27°F).
Many Afghans are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and fuel, and the partial suspension of aid operations has left them without the support they desperately need. The economic crisis, triggered by international sanctions and banking restrictions imposed on the Taliban regime, has made it even more difficult for people to make ends meet. The Taliban's ban on female NGO workers has hindered the efforts of aid organizations to deliver much-needed assistance, as they are unable to operate many programs in the conservative country.
The extreme winter has compounded the misery of Afghans who were already suffering from an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, affecting approximately 28 million people. Climate scientists attribute the severe weather to polar vortex disruptions, resulting in strong arctic winds bringing masses of cold air to the region. The lack of preparedness for such extreme events could have disastrous consequences for the country's residents.
The Afghan government and aid organizations are facing a daunting challenge in providing relief to those affected by the cold snap, especially in remote and mountainous areas that are difficult to access. The situation highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid and the removal of restrictions hindering the delivery of assistance to vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
The Forgotten Front: Afghanistan's Invisible War
You may want to see also
More than 160 people died from the cold
Afghanistan experiences an arid continental climate with significant temperature variation between seasons. While the southern arid regions regularly experience temperatures over 35ºC, mountainous regions often see temperatures well below zero.
In January 2023, Afghanistan experienced its coldest winter in over a decade, with temperatures dropping to as low as -34ºC (-29.2ºF). This extreme cold snap had deadly consequences, with more than 160 people losing their lives. The cold wave began on January 10, 2023, and within two weeks, 162 people had died due to the freezing temperatures, according to Shafiullah Rahimi, a spokesperson for the Minister of Disaster Management. The death toll included around 84 people who died in the last week alone.
The severe winter, combined with a struggling economy, left many Afghans unable to afford fuel for heating. The situation was further exacerbated by the suspension of operations by several aid groups due to the Taliban administration's ruling restricting female NGO workers. As a result, many residents, especially children, were left vulnerable to the bitter cold.
The impact of the cold snap extended beyond the human population. The freezing temperatures also resulted in the death of nearly 80,000 livestock. Additionally, over 140 people were hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning in the Herat Province, and more than 50 houses were damaged across the country.
Bagram Base Under Siege: A History of Attacks and Resilience
You may want to see also
Families can't afford fuel to heat their homes
Afghanistan has an arid continental climate, with temperatures varying significantly between seasons and by altitude. While southern arid regions regularly experience temperatures over 35ºC, mountainous regions can see temperatures fall well below zero. In January 2023, Afghanistan experienced its coldest winter in 15 years, with temperatures dropping to as low as -34ºC. This cold snap, combined with heavy snowfall, proved deadly, with over 160 people losing their lives.
Many Afghan families, already struggling with poverty and a humanitarian crisis, were unable to afford fuel to heat their homes. The situation was exacerbated by the Taliban administration's ruling restricting female NGO workers, which led to the partial suspension of operations by many aid groups. As a result, families in displacement camps and those living in poverty were left with little to no support.
In the Charahi Qambar Camp for internally displaced people on the western edge of Kabul, families burn plastic and other flammable materials to keep warm, as they cannot afford coal or firewood. The toxic fumes from burning plastic have severe health impacts, particularly on young children, who suffer from respiratory issues and constant illnesses. The situation is similar in other displacement camps and across the country, with families facing the stark choice between food and warmth.
The high cost of fuel means that even a small bundle of firewood, weighing around 15 pounds, can be out of reach for families living in poverty. With work scarce and large families to support, many Afghans cannot afford to heat their homes adequately. This often leads to dangerous alternatives, such as burning plastics, which release toxic compounds and pose health risks, especially to infants and young children.
The combination of freezing temperatures and inadequate heating methods has tragic consequences. Each winter, hospitals treat numerous patients with severe burns from stoves or curtains catching fire. The extreme cold also affects livestock, with over 77,000 animals dying due to the harsh weather in 2023.
The Human Cost of War: Remembering the Fallen in Afghanistan
You may want to see also
Over 77,000 livestock died due to the cold
Afghanistan has an arid continental climate with considerable temperature variation between seasons. In January 2023, the country experienced a cold snap with temperatures reaching as low as −33 °C (−27 °F) and snowfall as high as 30 centimetres (12 inches) in mountainous regions. This cold snap was the deadliest weather event of 2023 until Cyclone Freddy, causing the deaths of at least 160 people and nearly 80,000 livestock.
The extreme winter conditions had a devastating impact on Afghanistan's livestock, with over 77,000 animals perishing due to the freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall. This significant loss of livestock exacerbated the country's existing humanitarian crisis, affecting 28 million people according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
The severe cold weather also disrupted the lives of Afghans, forcing them to choose between food and warmth. Many residents struggled to afford fuel to heat their homes, with temperatures dipping as low as -21°C (-5.8°F) in Kabul. The situation was further compounded by the country's economic crisis and the suspension of aid operations by some international organisations due to restrictions on female aid workers.
The Afghan government faced challenges in providing relief to its citizens, and military helicopters were deployed to reach those cut off by snow. However, the helicopters were unable to access the mountainous regions, where the snowfall and low temperatures took a heavy toll on both the human and animal population.
The loss of such a large number of livestock is a significant blow to Afghanistan's agriculture-dependent communities and the country's economy. It highlights the vulnerability of the country's livestock to extreme weather events and the need for improved disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
The Battle for Afghanistan: A War Against the Taliban's Rule
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Afghanistan has an arid continental climate with considerable temperature variation between seasons. In mountainous regions, temperatures can fall well below zero, with temperatures as low as -34 degrees Celsius being recorded in 2023.
The cold weather in Afghanistan has had devastating effects, with more than 160 people dying from the cold in 2023, in what was the country's coldest winter in over a decade. The extreme weather also killed nearly 80,000 livestock and damaged over 50 homes.
The temperature variations in Afghanistan are influenced by large-scale climate phenomena, such as the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole, which is associated with drought conditions in the country.
Access to affordable heating is a significant challenge for many Afghans during the cold winters. Some rely on traditional coal heaters or wooden structures covered with quilts to trap warmth. However, the economic crisis and limited foreign aid have made it difficult for people to afford fuel, leading to stark choices between food and warmth.
