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1st LD: Avalanches kill 73 in Afghanistan: official

Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Heavy snowfall and avalanches have claimed the lives of 73 people across Afghanistan over the past two days, Mohammad Daem Kakar, head of the Natural Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Wednesday.

"A total of 73 people have lost their lives in snowfall and avalanches over the past two days in parts of the country, 62 of whom in Panjshir province," Kakar told Xinhua.

Other officials have told media that the deathtoll has surpassed 100 in Panjshir alone.

Hundreds of houses have been damaged due to snowfall, rain and avalanches over the past two days, Kakar said.

The snowfall started on Monday and remains in regions including the capital city Kabul. Endi