DUSHANBE , February 2, Asia-Plus -- Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov Wednesday [February 1] offered his sincere sympathies to the families of the victims of the avalanche that hit Jirgatol District on January 31 killing 18 people. 

            Rahmonov ordered Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov and heads of relevant ministries and organizations to take adequate measures to remove affects of the natural disaster and provide assistance to the disaster-hit population.