Torrential rain and heavy snowfall on February 17 and 18 caused 24 avalanches, six landslides and five mudflows in the country, according to the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan.

An avalanche came down near the village of Zing in Darvoz district of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) on the night of February 17, blocking the Dushanbe-Darvoz-Khorog highways on the 347th kilometer.  The work on clearing the highway of the snow is under way.  No inured was reported so far, according to the Emergencies Committee.

Besides, mudflows reportedly occurred near Umarak village in Darvoz district on the night of February 17, blocking the Dushanbe-Darvoz-Khorog highway on the 352nd kilometer.  Noe injured was reported so far.  The work on clearing the highway of the slurry is under way.              

Torrential rain in the early morning hours of February 18 caused three avalanches in Shamsiddin-Shohin district of Khatlon province.  No injured was reported so far.

One more landslide occurred in Uchkul area in Khatlon’s Vose district at 2:45 am of February 18.  The work on clearing the Vose-Khovaling road of slurry is under way.  No injured was reported so far.   

Torrential rain on February 17 reportedly caused mudflows on the 196th kilometer of the Dushanbe-Vahdat-Rasht highway Mudflows at 9:05 pm the same day.  No injured was reported so far.  The road was partially cleared from the slurry and traffic has been restored.    

The risk of further avalanches, landslides, rockfalls and mudflows reportedly remains high in the country.  People are advised not to travel to mountain areas unnecessarily.