Afg drought: 7 lakh flee homes

Kamar Kalagh (Afghanistan): Hajji Wali Jan brought a half-dozen plastic containers to the well in Kamar Kalagh on a recent Friday — one of the handful of days each week he and those who live on his side of this Afghan village ae allowed to use the water source. When it was finally his turn, the 66-year-old filled one container, then a second. He started on another container — but the thread of water tapered away and then stopped before the vessel was full. The well was done for the day.

Afghanistan’s drought, its worst in decades, is now entering its second year, exacerbated by climate change. The dry spell has hit 25 of the country’s 34 provinces, and this year’s wheat harvest is estimated to be down 20% from the year before. Along with fighting, the drought has contributed to driving more than 700,000 people from their homes this year, and the onset of winter will only increase the potential for disaster. -(AP)