DUSHANBE, March 14, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- An employee of Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) has reportedly been caught in an avalanche on the Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway.

According to IRS, which operates this toll road from the Tajik capital to Chanak on the Uzbek border, Niyozqul Qulov had been clearing the road of snow with excavator operator A. Jumayev when they were hit by a wave of snow.  Jumayev who was inside the excavator was not injured, while Qulov was swept by the avalanche into precipice, the source said.

The tragedy took place on the 118th kilometer of the highway in the Ayni district, Sughd province on March 13.  The search operation for Niyozqul Qulov is under way.

Meanwhile, Dushanbe-Khujand-Chanak highway is still closed for traffic due to avalanches.  Some fifteen avalanches have reportedly blocked the highway in some places.