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March 21 , 2005
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By
Kent Harris
Stars & Stripes, Mideast Edition
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan - To recent arrivals, it might seem as if there are only two types of weather in Afghanistan: rain and the brief periods between rain.
But the new millennium hadn't delivered much in the way of precipitation to Afghanistan until this winter. Then the snow came. Then, with the warmer weather came steady rain.
“Traditionally, the rain season doesn't stop until the first part of May,” said Air Force Capt. Laura Maddin, the officer in charge of the weather detachment at Bagram Air Base.
The weather already has caused massive problems across the country. Servicemembers made dozens of humanitarian missions during the winter, dropping food to those cut off by snow or blocked roads.
Spring, which started Sunday, isn't off to a good start either.
An Associated Press report Sunday said more than 200 were missing after days of torrential rains have sparked floods. The confirmed death toll from flooding stood at 24. That's in spite of a rescue effort by U.S. forces on Friday that saved at least dozens — and perhaps hundreds — of residents trapped by rising waters in western Afghanistan.
Much of the country's soil is composed of clay and doesn't absorb water quickly.
During the recent dry years, many people have moved into areas susceptible to flooding. U.S. bases, except for some muddy areas, have generally fared well.
Bagram Air Base, at an elevation of about 4,900 feet, has recorded 2.79 inches of rain so far in March and 3.92 inches in February — 1½ inches above average, Maddin said. And, with 10 days left in March, the total was just short of the monthly average. Bases at lower elevations have reported no major problems.
“There are some bases which are technically in a flood plain,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Kille, civil-military operations officer for Combined/Joint Task Force-76. “But we don't see any danger at this point.”
Kille, a planner for the Delaware Emergency Management Agency in his civilian life, and a team of other military experts spend a good deal of time planning for the worst.
“Essentially, we monitor the conditions for flooding and respond to their effects,” he said.
Kille estimates that U.S. forces conduct some kind of humanitarian assistance every day. A lot of it lately has to do with the weather. But he said coalition forces only get involved in disaster operations when the Afghan government and United Nations can't handle a situation.
U.S. aid often involves providing air lift or ground transportation. Coalition members also meet with Afghan government officials during their regular disaster planning meetings. Kille, who has taught U.S. disaster relief methods in five foreign countries, said he'd like to do the same in Afghanistan.
Flooding and mudslides can pose another danger in a country rife with land mines. Weather might be able to put them in places once thought safe.
“That concern does exist,” said Maj. Chris Doniec, engineer planner for CJTF-76. “But I don't think it makes Afghanistan any more dangerous than it already is.”
Doniec said trying to figure out how many land mines might be shifted by flooding and mudslides is an impossible task. But he thinks it's likely that at least some have moved into areas once thought cleared.
“Four inches of water, if it's moving fast enough, will knock a person off his feet,” he said. “So it'll certainly move a land mine.”
Doniec said there's also the possibility that mud could cover land mines that once could be easily seen — and avoided.
So while those on base mind their steps trying to avoid mud puddles, servicemembers throughout the country are told to always pay attention to their surroundings — whether it's raining or not.
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