Torghundi
Torghundi, also spelled Turghundi or Towrgondi (, "Tōrghūnḍəi"), is a border town in northern Herat province of Afghanistan. It is the second border crossing between Afghanistan and neighboring Turkmenistan (Aqina is the other). The town of Serhetabat in Turkmenistan is located just a short drive from the border crossing. Torghundi is about 100 km from the city of Herat. Torghundi is connected by a road and a 1520 mm gauge railroad with Serhetabat. The railroad was originally built in 1960 as a single track, and was upgraded in 2017. Torghundi has become the starting point of the Lapis Lazuli trade  corridor. In July 2021 Torghundi and its border crossing between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan was captured by Taliban fighters, as part of the wider 2021 Taliban offensive. Climate. With an influence from the local steppe climate, Torghundi features a cold semi-arid climate ("BSk") under the Köppen climate classification. The average temperature in Toraghundi is 15.8 °C, while the annual precipitation averages 300 mm. July is the hottest month of the year with an average temperature of 28.5 °C. The coldest month January has an average temperature of 3.4 °C.