DUSHANBE, March 14, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway has been temporarily closed for traffic due to avalanches.

According to Innovative Road Solutions (IRS), which operates this toll highway from the Tajik capital to Chanak on the Uzbek border, some fifteen avalanches have blocked the highway in some places from the 45th to the 73rd kilometer.

“Seven special machines (graders, frontlifts, dump trucks and multifunctional machines) of IRS’ branch in the Varzob district were sent to the avalanches sites Tuesday morning,” the source said, noting that they recommend people not to travel unnecessarily.