An avalanche killed 25 people in eastern Afghanistan, provincial officials said, after heavy snow fell across much of the country.
“It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are under way and the number of dead may increase,” Jamiullah Hashimi, Nuristan province's head of information and culture, told AFP.
The avalanche swept through the village of Nakre, in the province's Tatin valley, overnight on Sunday, burying homes under snow and rubble.
About 20 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged, Mr Hashimi said.
Eight people were initially reported to have been killed but disaster management officials revised the death toll to 25 in the early afternoon on Monday, and said it could rise again.
Bad weather has hindered rescue operations in the province, where helicopters were unable to land.
The main road to Nuristan province is blocked by snow, Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in Nuristan, told AFP.
Taliban authorities have sent more rescue teams to the area, according to local media.
Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, drought and avalanches.
Nuristan, which borders Pakistan, is also prone to flash flooding and landslides.
Twelve people were killed in an avalanche near the border with Pakistan in February 2022.
Top investing tips for UAE residents in 2021
Build an emergency fund: Make sure you have enough cash to cover six months of expenses as a buffer against unexpected problems before you begin investing, advises Steve Cronin, the founder of DeadSimpleSaving.com.
Think long-term: When you invest, you need to have a long-term mindset, so don’t worry about momentary ups and downs in the stock market.
Invest worldwide: Diversify your investments globally, ideally by way of a global stock index fund.
Is your money tied up: Avoid anything where you cannot get your money back in full within a month at any time without any penalty.
Skip past the promises: “If an investment product is offering more than 10 per cent return per year, it is either extremely risky or a scam,” Mr Cronin says.
Choose plans with low fees: Make sure that any funds you buy do not charge more than 1 per cent in fees, Mr Cronin says. “If you invest by yourself, you can easily stay below this figure.” Managed funds and commissionable investments often come with higher fees.
Be sceptical about recommendations: If someone suggests an investment to you, ask if they stand to gain, advises Mr Cronin. “If they are receiving commission, they are unlikely to recommend an investment that’s best for you.”
Get financially independent: Mr Cronin advises UAE residents to pursue financial independence. Start with a Google search and improve your knowledge via expat investing websites or Facebook groups such as SimplyFI.
