Avalanches were expected on 3 and 4 February in southern Kyrgyzstan.

February 3rd, 2009

In Brief: Avalanches leave passengers stranded in southern Kyrgyzstan

Photo: Kyrgyz Emergency Ministry

Snow cleaning underway in the south

DUBAI, 3 February 2009 (IRIN) - Rescue teams were trying to reach some 20 people stranded in three cars and eight trucks after avalanches engulfed parts of the road between Ala-Buka and Kanysh-Kyia in southern Kyrgyzstan on 2 February, AkiPress news site reported citing the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergencies.

The Met Office said further avalanches were expected on 3 and 4 February in southern Kyrgyzstan.

Landslides, earthquakes, floods, mudslides and avalanches cost the country some US$35 million annually, according to the ministry.

at/cb source.www.irinnews.org