Efforts on to clear snow-clogged roads: Ministry

KABUL (Pajhwok): Heavy snow has closed major roads in Ghazni, Maidan Wardak and Bamyan provinces, the Ministry of Public Works announced on Friday.

The ministry said efforts at clearing the snow from the roads were underway involving contracted firms and local councils.

Public Works Ministry spokesman Syed Mehdi Rohani said they had registered 317 affected areas including highways and roads after last night snow.

He said preparations had been made to deal with the situation. He said the snow had blocked Oni Kotal in Behsud district of Maidan Wardak, Shamsuddin Kotal in Nawar district of Ghazni and Hajikak Kotal in central Bamyan province.

“The roads will be cleared of snow over the next 18 hours,” Rohani said, adding several others road leading to districts had also been closed by snow.

The official said the Salang highway that connects Kabul with northern provinces was open for light traffic but heavy traffic was not allowed.

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