KHUJAND, March 19, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Heavy snowfall on March 18 caused two large avalanches in the Ayni and Kuhistoni Mastchoh districts, the Sughd emergency management agency reports.

In the Ayni district, the avalanche hit the area near the village of Dargh, Shamtouch jamoat Sunday afternoon.  “The avalanche damaged the road and buried a herd of yaks (totaling 20 head),” the source said, noting that no human casualties were reported.

“Information about the second avalanche came to the emergency management agency a couple of hours ago,” the source told Asia-Plus Monday afternoon.  “According to the unchecked information, a number of utility structures were damaged by the avalanche,” he said.  No injuries were reported, according to the source.

Rescuers are currently going to the avalanche site in the Kuhistoni Mastchoh district in order to assess the situation, the source added.