KABUL - The Chief Executive of the National Unity Government (NUG) Abdullah Abdullah on Monday said that more than 300 people were killed in recent avalanches throughout the country, emphasizing that the state of emergency committee should be better equipped and prepared in addressing areas and people affected.

Every day the death toll has increased, with several dozen still trapped in the avalanche or missing. Areas affected by natural disasters include Badakhshan, Nuristan, Bamyan, Daikundi, Nangarhar, Herat, Badghis, and Ghor with majority of the affected, roughly 200, were killed in northern Punisher province.

While speaking at the Ministers Council meeting in Kabul, Abdullah stressed that adequate aid to the people must be sent immediately. He added that in the future the process of rescue operations should be fixed to respond to natural disasters quickly.

"This incident made us realize that the state of emergency committee should be better equipped and the level of the preparation needs to be increased," Abdullah said. "Our country is vulnerable to Mother Nature."

At the Minister Council meeting, Ministers discussed solving of the electricity issues of the country, reopening Salang pass, providing aid to the victims of the avalanches, security, and economic situations of the country.

Abdullah added that the lack of telecommunication services in the some valleys is the reason behind the lack of knowledge of such incidents.

"We have understood that most of the villages were not connected by telecommunication services in Punisher. This is a lesson to us all in the areas that need to be fixed."

According to reports the following districts of Punisher were affected: 38 were killed and 30 injured in Khenj; 113 killed and 40 injured in Paryan; 32 killed and 17 injured in Dara; eight killed and 10 injured in Abshar, while five others were killed and three injured in the central areas of the province. (Tolonews)