Avalanches claim 16 lives in central Afghanistan

At least 16 dead bodies were recovered after 44 individuals went missing when heavy snow avalanches hit different villages in central Panjsher province of Afghanistan, said officials on Wednesday.
Acting Governor of the province, Abdul Rahman Kabiri told media that the avalanches occurred in Peryan and Hesa Duwoom districts and Parakh, the capital of the province.
He confirmed that over 40 persons went missing in Raghach village of Hesa Duwoom district and Malsafa locality of Parakh.
The level of snow reached to one meter and all roads leading to the province were blocked, he added.
The avalanches also destroyed many houses and efforts were on to rescue the missing people. Earlier on Tuesday, a heavy avalanche in the central Bamyan province of Afghanistan left four persons including an infant dead.