Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty December 20, 2019 A strong earthquake has struck northern Afghanistan, forcing residents into the streets in the Afghan and Pakistani capitals, Islamabad and Kabul, reports say. There were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said the December 20 earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale
Tolo News: Last Thursday President Ghani ordered officials of the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Air Protection Commission to take serious steps to address the air pollution within 10 days. Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the Presidential Palace, said: “The president gave a 10-day deadline to the commission to make a plan to reduce the
Tolo News: The Afghan Ministry of Public Health on Tuesday said that air pollution-related diseases have increased by 5 percent this year, and it called on relevant organizations to take the necessary measures before pollution impacts more lives. By international standards, air quality in Kabul has recently been rated “hazardous.” Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News: The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) on Thursday warned that the air pollution in Kabul will increase by 50% over the next four months. According to the National Environmental Protection Agency, the reduction of air pollution in Kabul depends on both the cooperation of the people and the government, because one of the main reasons
LA Times: After decades of conflict across Afghanistan, recycling is not at the top of most people’s agendas. But now, one Kabul woman is declaring war on the Afghan capital’s trash. Zuhal Atmar, 35, has set up a recycling plant where she processes 33 tons of garbage a week. She’s the first woman in Afghanistan
Tolo News: The Environment Directorate launched a campaign in Kabul against the use of coal, in order to protect the environment during the coming winter. In this one-week campaign, the activists will collect over 124,000 signatures from Kabul residents pledging to avoid using coal for heating during winter and to restrain from using old cars in
Tolo News: There are no official statistics on how many Afghans die of pollution-related illnesses, but the research group State of Global Air said more than 26,000 deaths could be attributed to it in 2017. In contrast, 3,483 civilians were killed that year in the Afghan war, according to the United Nations. Kabul, a city
1TV: Feet of snow have fallen on Salang Pass which connects Afghanistan’s northern provinces to capital Kabul. Snow and rain has been falling in the region for the last three days, just two weeks after the start of fall. Click here to read more (external link).
1TV: Sardar Wali Malikzai, head of water supply department for capital zone, said that only 28 percent of Kabul residents have access to safe drinking water. He said that the level of access to drinking water in Kabul would increase by channelling water in Sayad, Panjshir and Shah Tut Dam to the city. Click here to
Ariana: Flash floods killed two people and wounded two others in central Parwan province, a local official confirmed. Wahida Shahkar, a spokesperson for the provincial governor told Ariana News that heavy rains caused flash floods at Tajikan area of Jabal Saraj district on Sunday evening. Click here to read more (external link).