DUSHANBE, March 30, Asia-Plus -- Warmer temperatures have increased the risk of avalanches in the mountain areas of Tajikistan.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), the worst hit was an area between the Shahriston and Anzob passes in northern Tajikistan, where a number of snow-slides have occurred over the past several days. 

The source at a MoTC said that heavy snowfalls in the area on March 27 caused a series of avalanches that blocked in the 197th kilometer the main highway from Dushanbe to Khujand, trapping some 100 vehicles.

At present road-builders are clearing the road of snow from both sides, the source said, noting that occurring snow-slides make the work difficult.  “We plan to complete the work in the coming day, weather permitting,” the source said.  No injured was reported, according to him.      

In the meantime, according to the Committee for Emergency Situations (CES), emergency, rescue teams have been sent to the area.  “”We have got in touch by the trapped people with mobile phone and offered them helicopter evacuation but they refused because do not want to leave their vehicles,”  said the CES source, “We have provided them with foods and warm blankets.”