Snow fell across several provinces of Afghanistan overnight, blanketing parts of Kabul in the season’s first snowfall, while heavy accumulation was reported elsewhere.
Between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow fell in Herat, while neighbouring Badghis recorded between 12 and 30 centimetres, according to Taliban’s Public Works Ministry. In some areas of Ghor, snowfall reached up to half a metre.
While residents welcomed the snowfall after months of drought, many families said worsening economic conditions left them unable to heat their homes, raising concerns about winter hardships.
Snowfall also disrupted transport, with sections of major highways, including routes linking Kabul to Herat and Kandahar, temporarily closed. Parts of the Salang route, a key passage connecting northern provinces to the capital, were also affected, while local roads in Maidan Wardak province were blocked, residents said.
Afghanistan’s harsh winters frequently exacerbate humanitarian challenges, particularly for low-income households, as fuel shortages, poor infrastructure and extreme weather restrict access to basic services.
