Avalanches kill 2 in Austria, disruptions in Italy and Serbia

 At least two people died in avalanches prompted by heavy snowfall in Austria on Friday, while rain and snowfall also caused disruptions in Italy and Serbia.According to dpa, fresh snow on Friday triggered avalanches in southern Austria, causing the death of a 53-year old snow plow operator and a38-year-old man.Up to 1.5 metres of snow increased the risk of avalanches, resulting in the mass cancellation of trains. The military placed 1,200 soldiers and five helicopters on standby for rescue operations. Austrian authorities advised people to stay indoors and to avoid driving unless "absolutely necessary." Many schools in the southern provinces of Carinthia and South Tirol were ordered closed.In Italy, meanwhile, heavy rainfall caused emergency services to intervene on 400 occasions.In Rome, a heavily pregnant woman was taken to hospital via dinghy boat, while homeless people had to be rescued from huts destroyed by a landslide.