The Dushanbe-Khujand highway is still closed traffic as the risk of further avalanches in Varzob district remains high.
According to the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan, heavy snowfalls on February 1 caused three avalanches in Maikhoura and Hushyori areas of Varzob district blocking the highway on the 65th and 66th kilometers. The work on clearing the highway of snow is still under way.
The Emergencies Committee said on February 1 that 21 avalanches have occurred in Tajikistan since January 1 this year.
The risk of further avalanches reportedly remains high on some sections of Dushanbe-Varzob-Agni-Khujand highway (Sighed province), Dushanbe-Sango and Dushanbe-Lakhs highways (Rasht Valley in eastern Tajikistan), Vans-Khorog, Khorog-Ishkashim and Khorog-Murgab highways in the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO).
To ensure the safety of drivers on the winter road and provide emergency assistance, rapid rescue trams of the Emergencies Committee regularly patrol different sections of roads in mountain areas.
While most roads are open, the Emergencies Committee advices people not to travel to mountain areas unnecessarily.
According to data from the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet), heavy snowfalls will continue in mountain areas until February 3.
