DUSHANBE, April 21, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- Warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches in mountain areas of the country, where dozens of snow-slides have occurred over past several days.

According to the Committee for emergency Situations (CES), an avalanche caused by torrential rain hit the Shahriston Pass in the Sughd province on the night of April 19-20 and several vehicles remained trapped under snow.

“One person was killed in the avalanche and rescuers managed to find one another person alive,” the source said, noting that three other persons are still reported missing and search-and rescue operation is going on.