Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: After two days of closure due to heavy snowfalls, the Salang highway—linking the capital Kabul with the northern Afghanistan—was reopened for traffic on Saturday, an official said.
Lt. Gen. Mohammad Rajab, the highway maintenance commander, told Pajhwok Afghan News both sides of the tunnel had been cleared of heavy snow after hectic efforts by the maintenance team.
He said the highway had reopened both for light and heavy vehicles. The commander urged drivers and passengers to observe all security precautions and comply with traffic regulations.
In the winter, travelling the highway is dangerous due to heavy snow and harsh cold weather. Several fatal incidents have occurred in the tunnel in recent years.
This is worth mentioning that heavy snow has closed major roads in Ghazni, Maidan Wardak and Bamyan provinces, the Ministry of Public Works announced on Friday, assuring of efforts to clear-clogged roads.
The ministry said efforts at clearing the now from the roads were underway involving contracted firms and local councils.
Public Works Ministry Spokesman, Syed Mehdi Rohani said they had registered 317 affected areas including highways and roads after last night snow.
He said preparations had been made to deal with the situation. He said the snow had blocked Oni Kotal in Behsud district of Maidan Wardak, Shamsuddin Kotal in Nawar district of Ghazni and Hajikak Kotal in central Bamyan province.
“The roads will be cleared of now over the next 18 hours,” Rohani said, adding several others road leading to districts had also been closed by snow.
