DUSHANBE, March 3, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Avalanches have killed three persons in Gorno Badakhshan.

According to the Committee for Emergency Situations (CES), dozens of avalanches caused by warm temperatures occurred in the mountain areas of country recently.  Three persons were killed by avalanches in Gorno Badakhshan on March 1, the source said.

An avalanche that occurred in the Shugnan district buried two residents of the village of Patkhur (phonetically spelled).  Their bodies were dug out on March 2.

The second fatal avalanche hit the village of Garmchashma in the Ishkashim district.  The avalanche buried the 14-year-old Navbahor Melikbek.  Rescuers found him only yesterday.  The boy sustained deep frostbites and died on the way to the hospital.  

Warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches in Tajikistan, where dozens of snow-slides have occurred in recent days.  Specialists say that the weather is not very cold and the sun is shining in most places.  This makes the snow heavier and increases the risk of avalanches.