People warm themselves on a snow day in Kabul, Afghanistan, Nov. 23, 2020. The Afghan capital Kabul city had its second snowfall of the year on Monday. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua)
KABUL, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan capital Kabul city had its second snowfall of the year on Monday amid challenges ahead for poor families.
"The winter in Afghanistan starts on first day of Jaddi, the ninth month in Afghanistan's calendar. But this year the snowing started too early as about one month is still ahead before start of winter," resident Ahmad Fahim told Xinhua.
The first snow fall of the year hit Kabul and neighboring eastern Afghan provinces on Nov. 14, covering all mountains around the city with nearly 5 million population.
"The living condition in 2020 is getting worse in Afghanistan. People are facing difficulties in buying food and heating materials," Fahim said.
"I have failed to buy firewood so far this year. Many people are living under the tents around and in Kabul city. They are displaced people of war and militancy, they urgently need support in these difficult and cold days," Fahim said.
Snow began falling in the early hours of Monday in the city and eastern and northeastern provinces.
The heavy snow covered Hindu Kush Mountains in northern part of the capital, causing trouble for traffic in Salang Pass in eastern Parwan province, along a highway connecting Kabul to nine northern provinces.
About 54.5 percent of Afghans were living under the poverty line in 2019, according to Afghan officials.
However, the number may soar to 72 percent this year, according to the World Bank.
The temperatures could potentially drop to as low as minus 9 degrees Celsius in parts of Afghanistan in the coming days. Enditem
