<p>FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): An avalanche in the Mayami district of southeastern Badakhshan province has claimed 10 people’s lives and injured 12 others, officials said on Saturday.</p>
<p>The avalanche hit 25 residences in Ghami Bala area on Friday night, the <a href="/en/afghanistan" class="glossify-link">Afghanistan</a> National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) provincial head told Pajhwok Afghan News.</p>
<p>Syed Abdullah Humayun Dehqan said 16 of the houses were destroyed by the snow-slide. “As snowfall continues over the past two days, more than 1.5 metres of snow has been recorded.</p>
<p>“In Ghami Bala area, where the tragedy occurred, the dead and wounded people were being retrieved from the snow with the help of locals. The injured are being evacuated to the Mayami district clinic.”</p>
<p>The ANDMA director said at least 10 people were killed and another 12 wounded in the avalanche. With the rescue effort still underway, the death toll might rise, the official indicated.</p>
<p>Abdullah Naji Nazari, the provincial council head, said efforts were being made to dispatch two choppers to Mayami district for providing first aid to the wounded people and victims’ families.</p>
<p>The Ministry of Defence (MoD) could provide the choppers as there was no other way of rescuing the wounded, he explained, saying all the roads had been blocked by snow.</p>
<p>sns/mud</p>
