Severe cold kills 15,000 animals

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Severe cold kills 15,000 animals

13 Jan 08 - Afghanistan, Iran and a number of other central Asian countries have been hit by severe cold over the last few days, resulting in around 50 deaths. Temperatures in Kazakhstan plummeted to -25C (-13F) in some places, with Uzbekistan experiencing its lowest temperatures in almost 40 years.

Heavy snow covered a number of Afghan provinces, blocking roads and preventing transport of vital food and supplies. More than 15,000 animals have perished in the cold weather, which has brought snow to parts of neighboring Iran for the first time in living memory.

In northern Iran the cold has caused unprecedented gas shortages. More snow is forecast over the coming days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/news ... news.shtml