Recent torrential rain and snowfall have reportedly caused a series of avalanches and mudslides in Tajikistan.

Torrential rain and snowfall on March 10 caused an avalanche on the 72nd kilometer of the highway connecting Dushanbe and Khujand, the capital of the northern Sughd province.  Rescuers of the Committee on Emergency Situations (CES) and four multifunctional machines were reportedly involved in in clearing the highway of snow and traffic along the Dushanbe-Khujand highway has resumed.

On the same day, torrential rainfall caused a mudslide in the Tojikobod district (eastern Tajikistan) that blocked the Dushanbe-Rasht-Lakhsh highway on the196th kilometer.  The highway has been cleared of slurry by morning of March 11 and traffic along the Dushanbe-Rasht-Lakhsh highway has resumed.

Recall, Committee on Emergency Situations warns that warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches, mudslides and floods in the country.  The risk of avalanches, mudslides and rockfalls remains high on March 13 and people in Tajikistan are advised not to travel unnecessarily to mountain areas.