Heavy snowfall closes Kabul-Bamiyan Highway

KABUL (Amu TV): Kabul woke up to its first snowfall of the season on Thursday, with a blanket of white covering the city and its surrounding hills.

Kabul residents took to social media to share photos and videos of the snow-draped streets, expressing a mix of joy and nostalgia for the city’s winter traditions.

For many, the snowfall evoked memories of old Kabul, when winter was celebrated with community gatherings and a rich cultural heritage. “The snow today reminds us of the Kabul of the past,” one resident remarked.

However, not everyone viewed the snowfall with the same enthusiasm. Many Kabul residents face severe economic hardships and unemployment, challenges that become even more pressing during the cold months. Rising fuel costs and worsening air pollution add to the burdens of daily life, leaving many to view winter as a season of struggle rather than celebration.

Adding to the cultural sentiment, former President Hamid Karzai shared a photo of the snowy capital on his social media platform, X, captioning it with a well-known Afghan saying: “Kabul may be without gold, but it should never be without snow.”

Meanwhile, the Kabul-Bamiyan highway has been closed to traffic due to heavy snowfall, according to a statement by the Taliban’s security command in Maidan Wardak Province.

The statement said the highway was blocked in the Kotal-e-Oni area of Jalrez District, a key route connecting central Afghanistan to the capital. It added that efforts are underway to clear the road and restore access.

The closure comes as several provinces, including Kabul, have experienced heavy rain and snow since Tuesday.

While some residents have welcomed the snowfall as a respite for water supplies, rural communities and those living in remote areas have raised concerns about travel disruptions and the challenges posed by impassable roads.