Three men were caught in an avalanche in the Vanj district of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO), leaving one dead and two injured, according to the Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan.
An official source within the Emergencies Committee says the accident occurred on Tuesday in the village of Pshikharv.
According to him, they were struck by the avalanche while collecting firewood.
“The deceased was a 53-year-old man and search for his body is ongoing,” the source told Asia-Plus Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, citing meteorologists, the Emergencies Committee has warned residents and visitors of Tajikistan about the risk of landslides in the foothill in mountainous districts subordinate to the center and Khatlon province in the coming days.
The Committee urged residents and guests to refrain from visiting bodies of water, tourist routes, and mountain hikes during this period.
The Committee advises people not to travel to mountain areas unnecessarily and also advised caution to residents of foothill and mountainous areas when grazing livestock near ponds.
To mitigate the risks of landslides, the Committee requested the public to clear drainage systems, rivers, canals, and other water bodies near residential areas.
Road restrictions lifted on Dushanbe-Chanak highway
Previously imposed restrictions on the movement of trucks and trailers on the Dushanbe-Chanak highway have been lifted. The road had been closed due to heavy and prolonged snowfall.
The Branch of Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) LTD in Tajikistan, which operates the toll on this highway, says the highway has now been cleared and treated with anti-slip materials.
IRS, however, advised drivers to monitor their vehicles’ technical conditions, avoid unprepared travel in winter conditions, and practice courtesy on the road.
