AKIPRESS.COM - Avalanches caused by abrupt warming and heavy snowfall have killed at least five people in Tajikistan since February 22, the authorities say.

The Emergency Situations Committee said on February 24 that the situation remains very unsafe and urged citizens not to travel on dangerous mountain passes, reports RFE/RL.

Mountains cover 93 percent of the Central Asian nation, and snow slides kill dozens of people every year.

Unseasonably warm temperatures in mountain valleys earlier this month caused snow to melt, and weather forecasters warn that temperatures could rise again this week after falling to freezing, increasing the danger of avalanches.