Afghanistan – The Kabul-Bamiyan highway, a vital route connecting central Afghanistan to the capital, has been closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall, according to a statement from the Taliban’s security command in Maidan Wardak Province.
The highway was blocked in the Kotal-e-Oni area of Jalrez District, where snow accumulation has rendered the road impassable. Authorities are reportedly working to clear the snow and restore access, but no timeline has been provided for reopening the route.
The closure follows a wave of heavy rain and snow that began on Tuesday and affected several provinces, including Kabul. The harsh weather conditions have disrupted travel and raised concerns about access to essential services and supplies in remote areas.
The Kabul-Bamiyan highway is a critical link for the region, serving as a lifeline for the central provinces of Bamiyan, Daikundi, and Ghor. It passes through key areas such as Ghorband Valley in Parwan Province and Jalrez Valley in Maidan Wardak Province, which connect Hazarajat, the heartland of Afghanistan’s Hazara community, to the capital.
During the summers, these regions are attacked by large groups of Kuchis (nomadic herders) and their livestock, who migrate from southern Afghanistan to graze on the lush pasturelands of Hazarajat. The highway’s closure during the winter months underscores the vulnerability of the region’s transportation infrastructure to extreme weather conditions.
Local communities and travelers have expressed concerns about prolonged disruptions, as the highway is crucial in transporting goods and facilitating movement. Humanitarian groups have also highlighted the potential impact on residents’ access to central Afghanistan’s food, medicine, and emergency services.
Efforts to clear the highway are ongoing, but with heavy snowfall expected to continue, authorities encounter significant challenges in ensuring safe and reliable access. This situation highlights the necessity for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness in Afghanistan’s mountainous regions, especially as climate change escalates the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
