Warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches in Tajikistan, where hundreds of snow-slides have occurred over the past three weeks, the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet) warned on Monday afternoon. 

The risk is definitely high on the Dushanbe-Khujand highway, especially in Varzob and Ayni districts and in districts of the western part of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).

The Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan the risk of occurrence of further avalanches in the Hisor Range areas, on Dushanbe-Khorog and Dushanbe-Lakhsh highways as well as on the roads connecting GBAO’s capital, Khorog, with Ishkashim and Murgab districts.  

The Emergencies Committee warns that relatively warm air temperatures and rain may lead to avalanches in mountain areas and advises people not to travel to mountain areas unnecessarily.

Mountains cover 93 percent of Tajikistan’s territory, and avalanches and mudslides kill dozens of people every year.