2015 Afghanistan avalanches

On February 24–28, 2015, avalanches in Panjshir Province, Afghanistan killed at least 310 people, and another 129 were wounded.[1] 1,000 Afghani troops were deployed to Panjshir Province to assist rescue efforts.[2] According to the acting governor of Panjshir, Abdul Rahman Kabiri, these avalanches were the worst Afghanistan had seen in three decades.[3]

2015 Afghanistan avalanche
Location of Panjshir Province in Afghanistan
Date24–28 February 2015
LocationPanjshir Province, Afghanistan
Deaths310+
Non-fatal injuries129+

Cause

The avalanches were caused by heavy snowstorms in the area.[4] Heavy snowfall is a common cause of avalanches.[5] Snow builds up as snowfall continues and it eventually reaches a point at which the weight of the snowfall overcomes the cohesion of the snow, resulting in an avalanche.[5] Rising temperatures may have also had an effect, due to the fact that temperature rise can affect the cohesion of snow.[5] These snowstorms have also hampered rescue efforts, with some areas receiving nearly a meter of snow.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Avalanches kill more than 300 in Afghanistan". The Telegraph.
  2. AP (26 February 2015). "Afghanistan avalanche toll rises to 162". USA Today. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. "Afghanistan's Panjshir hit by deadly avalanches". BBC. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  4. Popalzai, Masoud (26 February 2015). "Death toll at 168 from Afghanistan avalanches". CNN. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  5. "Natural Hazards - Avalanches". www.n-d-a.org. Retrieved 2015-11-23.
  6. Associated Press (25 February 2015). "Avalanches caused by heavy snow kill at least 124 people in Afghanistan". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 February 2015.


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