The Emergencies Committee under the Government of Tajikistan says dozens of avalanches and mudslides have occurred in Tajikistan over the past couple of days.

Yesterday, 38 avalanches reportedly came down in Rushan district of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) alone.

“Rural roads are temporarily closed for traffic,” Ms. Umeda Yusufi, a spokeswoman for the Emergencies Committee, said.  

According to her, an avalanche came down on the 426th kilometers of the Darvoz-Vanj-Khorog road, in the Bedara area.  This section of the road has reportedly been cleared of the snow by the evening.

Besides, mudslides occurred on the 352nd kilometer of this road near the village of Umarak in Darvoz, blocking the road.  This section of the road has been cleared of slurry by 7:00 pm and traffic has been restored, Yusufi said.  

No damage or injured was reported, according to the Emergencies Committee spokeswoman.

Recall, avalanches in the GBAO claimed at least 18 lives as of the morning of February 18, including 15 in Khorog, one in Shugnan district and two in Vanj district.

The Emergencies Committee warns that warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches and mudslides in the country and advises people not to travel to mountain areas unnecessarily.

According to data from the Hydrometeorology Agency (Hydromet), the threat of avalanches, mudslides, rockfalls and landslides will remain in the country until February 23.  

Mountains cover 93 percent of Tajikistan’s territory, and avalanches and mudslides kill dozens of people every year.