Pakistan sends relief goods to avalanche-hit Afghanistan

Published February 28, 2015
Survivors receive food donations near the site of an avalanche in the Paryan district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. — AP
Survivors receive food donations near the site of an avalanche in the Paryan district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. — AP

RAWALPINDI: Two C130 aircraft carrying relief goods were dispatched on Saturday (today) from the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi to Afghanistan's Panjshir province for victims of a massive avalanche, said a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The relief goods include tents, blankets, stoves, as well as eatables like rice, ready-to-eat meals and medicines.

More than 250 people have been killed in a series of avalanches triggered by heavy snowfall around Afghanistan this week,

The bulk of the deaths have come in Panjshir province, north of Kabul, where at least 186 people were killed, acting provincial governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri told AFP.

Survivors wait to receive food donations near the site of an avalanche in the Paryan district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb 27, 2015. — AP
Survivors wait to receive food donations near the site of an avalanche in the Paryan district of Panjshir province, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Feb 27, 2015. — AP

The avalanches came after two days of heavy snow destroyed more than 100 homes in the province and blocked main roads, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the stricken villages.

Take a look: Over 100 die in Afghanistan avalanches

Deadly avalanches are common in Afghanistan’s mountainous areas in winter. One in the remote far northeast in 2012 left 145 people missing, presumed dead.

In 2010, another avalanche killed 165 people in the high-altitude Salang Pass, which runs through the Hindu Kush mountain range that connects Kabul to the north.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...