Trucks stopped on Salang Pass after snowstorm

CHARIKAR (Pajhwok): The Salang Pass that links Kabul with northern Afghanistan was closed on Saturday for heavy vehicles after a strong snowstorm lashed the key highway, an official said.

Samiullah Rahimi, Salang Pass’s maintenance in-charge, told Pajhwok Afghan News the highway was closed against heavy traffic after heavy snowfall and fog beginning Friday night.

He said maintenance officials also used sand and salt on the route to improve vehicular movement but a strong ice was stilling covering the road, he added.

Rahimi cited the icy condition of the road as the reason heavy vehicles were stopped from travelling on the road in order to facilitate small vehicles.

“The route is open for small vehicles using snow chains,” he said, asking drivers to take with them winter equipment such as chains, warm clothes, food and oil while using the highway.

The snow has currently reached about 31 centimeters in North Salang and 30 centimeters in South Salang, he concluded.

mds/ma

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