AKIPRESS.COM - At least 124 people died in freezing temperatures in Afghanistan in past two weeks, BBC reportedwith reference to Taliban officials.

About 70,000 livestock also perished during the coldest winter in a decade, a State Ministry for Disaster Management spokesman said.

Many areas of Afghanistan were now completely cut off by snow, Acting Minister of Disaster Management Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund told the BBC. Military helicopters had been sent to the rescue, but they couldn't land in the most mountainous regions.

The acting minister said the forecast for the next 10 days indicated temperatures would warm, but he still expressed worry about a rising death toll.

"Most of the people who lost their lives to the cold were shepherds or people living in rural areas. They didn't have access to healthcare. We're concerned about those who are still living in the mountain regions. Most of the roads which pass through the mountains have been closed due to snow. Cars have got stuck there and passengers have died in the freezing temperatures," Mohammad Akhund said.

It was reported earlier that the temperature dropped below -28C in Afghanistan.