Heavy snow kills children, destroys houses in Afghanistan

At least 12 people, including six children, were killed and tens of houses were damaged by heavy snow in Herat and Ghor provinces over the past four days, according to Afghanistan's National Disasters Management Authority (ANDMA). Dozens of livestock perished in the cold weather. Snow has also blocked access to many remote areas in northern, western and central provinces, leaving affected communities urgently needing food aid, medical care and heating items, ANDMA reported said. Over the past week, 37 avalanches have occurred around the Salang Pass–a vital route connecting northern Afghanistan with the capital, Kabul - officials said.