KABUL, Afghanistan — Severe winter weather has forced the closure of major transportation routes in Afghanistan, including the Balkhab-Sar-e-Pul road in the north, the Herat-Torghundi highway in the west and the Salang Pass, Taliban officials said Friday.
Heavy snowfall and strong winds have rendered the Balkhab-Sar-e-Pul road impassable in the Qom Kotal area, according to Habibullah Masroor, a spokesperson for the Taliban governor in Sar-e-Pul Province. Crews have been dispatched to clear the road, but progress has been hampered by the severity of the conditions.
In the west, the Herat-Torghundi highway has also been shut down due to heavy snow and high winds. The Taliban police command in Herat urged residents to avoid traveling on the highway until further notice, citing the risk of accidents.
The Taliban-led Ministry of Public Works previously announced the closure of the Salang Pass, a critical mountain corridor connecting northern and southern Afghanistan, due to similar conditions. Snow depths in the Salang Pass have reached up to 116 centimeters (46 inches) in some areas, according to ministry spokesperson Ashraf Haqshenas.
Every winter, heavy snowfall and poor infrastructure lead to the closure of key routes across Afghanistan, particularly in rural areas. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of essential services, including access to healthcare, during such closures.
