KABUL: Thousands of people gathered in Afghanistan’s southern Kandahar province on Saturday to pray for rain as the drought in the region continues, causing mounting desperation.
Kandahar information and culture department chief Hafiz Saidullah said that tens of thousands of people from towns and villages had joined the ceremony.
The participants prayed for rain and an end to the drought, after many years marked by the absence of rain and snow.
The Taliban’s supreme leader also sent a message to attendees, urging them to work harder, the official added.
Images shared in social media showed no measures were in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19, as people stood close together at the event organised by the Taliban.
During periods of drought, people traditionally pray for rain to fertilize the fields and crops.
Currently, Afghanistan is experiencing one of the worst droughts and food shortages in decades, with a humanitarian crisis looming.
The landlocked nation largely relies on rain and snow during winter but 80 per cent of the country is suffering from the long-lasting drought.
The United Nations has warned that more than half of the country’s population could face acute hunger this winter due to the impact of drought, conflict, the coronavirus pandemic, and the ongoing economic crisis.
TALKS TO RUN AIRPORT
In another development, a joint delegation from Qatar and Turkey is negotiating with the Taliban to operate Kabul international airport, Afghan officials have confirmed.
Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the talks were under way but the two sides have not made any progress yet.
Turkey and Qatar did not comment on the talks.
A joint technical delegation from Qatar and Turkey arrived in Kabul on Thursday following reports that the two countries have agreed to jointly operate five airports, including Kabul airport, in Taliban-run Afghanistan.
Another high-level Taliban official said the talks will continue and if they reach an agreement, all domestic and international flights would resume.
The sides have reached an agreement and will discuss operational details over the next week, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported, citing diplomatic sources.
Afghanistan’s airspace is currently closed to all overflights. Only domestic flights and international evacuation or humanitarian aid delivery flights are taking place.
The US-led international forces caused extensive damage to Kabul airport during their chaotic withdrawal from the country in August when the Taliban seized control of the country.
The airport terminal, radar system, aircraft and vehicles were all damaged, the Taliban claimed when they took charge of the airport. A Qatari team later reopened Kabul airport. — dpa
