Heavy snowfall blocks Salang Pass for traffic

CHARIKAR, an official said on Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Mohammad Rajab, head of the Salang Pass safety and protection authority, told Pajhwok Afghan News the snow started falling with a strong wind at around 5:00 am and was still ongoing.

According to him, nearly 40 cm of snow had fallen so far. The Salang road had been closed for traffic since 10am in order to avoid possible accident.

All trucks and passenger buses had been stopped by Salang safety and protection authority in Khanjan district of Baghlan province and in Tajikan district of Parwan. The vehicles would remain stopped until strong winds and snowfall subsided and conditioned improved.

Crossing the highway in winter created possible threats to commuters and every year during winter season the road remained blocked most of the times for traffic. Today was the first time that traffic had been stopped to pass the Salang Pass in the ongoing year.

It’s pertinent to mention that in January of 2010, dozens of passengers were killed and many other wounded as a result of avalanche in Salang.

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