DUSHANBE , February 2, Asia-Plus -- Ongoing search-and-rescue operation by the Jirgatol emergencies agency has led to finding two other victims of the Jirgatol avalanche alive. 

According to information from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), these two avalanche victims were found Wednesday [February 1] evening.  Dustmurod, a spokesman for the MES, has told Asia-Plus that these two persons remained under snow for almost two days.  

We will recall that the deadliest avalanche struck the Tojik Mahalla village in Jirgatol, some 300 kilometers northeast of Dushanbe , before dawn Tuesday [January 31].  38 people were buried by snow, when their village was hit by the avalanche.  Officials said 18 people were rescued but the 18 others died.  

According to the MES source, a series of avalanches that struck Tajikistan last week completely destroyed 90 residential buildings in various regions of the republic: 37 houses in Jirgatol; 28 houses in Tojikobod; 10 in Khorog, 9 in Roshtqala; 4 in Fayzobod and 2 houses in Shugnan.