Avalanches kill more than 100, destroy homes in Afghanistan
So far, at least 124 people have reportedly died in a province about 60 miles north of Kabul.
By Doug G. Ware | Feb. 25, 2015 at 10:05 PM
Avalanches are common in Afghanistan's high mountainous regions. In 2010, pictured here, thousands were rescued after major slides in the mountains of Salang Pass, Afghanistan. UPI/Raflullah Mohibat/Afghan National Army | License Photo
KABUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- More than 100 people have been killed and around 100 homes have been destroyed in northeast Afghanistan, where a series of avalanches were triggered by heavy snowfall there.
Panjshir Valley, a mountainous region in the country's northeast, has been bombarded with snowfall in recent days. Government officials there said the storms ultimately triggered the snow slides -- resulting in the deaths of dozens and injuries to dozens more, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
So far, at least 124 have died from the slides, Al Jazeera reported. The victims were scattered across four districts in the region, which is about 60 miles north of the Afghan capital of Kabul.
The toll is expected to rise, as officials said there are heavily affected areas search crews haven't been able to reach yet. The heavy snowfall has consequently made underdeveloped roads difficult to navigate.
A government official said more people will die if emergency aid doesn't arrive soon, CNN reported.
Although Afghanistan is located in the warm climate Middle East, avalanches are actually quite common in the nation's high mountain ranges.
In 2012, 45 people were killed by an avalanche and more than 150 perished two year earlier
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