Due to heavy snowfall, the Salang Pass is blocked and avalanches could bring catastrophe with human lives if the management of the pass and snow-clearing work is not efficient. A disaster management team should be on alert for avalanches in Northern and Central areas of the country during next few weeks.

Vehicle are struck on both sides of the pass. There should be aerial work to assist the maintenance guards to block traffic in due time and conduct snow removal work in emergency spots. The concerned authorities have to be prepared for further heavy snowfall.

Every year the heavy snowfall and avalanches take many lives. The tunnel remains closed for several days in February and end of January usually. In a disaster on February 08, 2010, more than 170 people were killed

The 12,700-feet-high Salang Tunnel, built by Soviet Union is in deplorable condition now. Heavy avalanches block it for days during snowfalls of winter. When avalanches block the air-receiver block-holes of the pass, it is impossible to breath inside the tunnel. And causalities occur almost every year in winter.  

Salang Pass is the only road connecting capital Kabul to Northern parts of the country. Rescue forces should be deployed on alert at both sides of the tunnel for the entire months of January and February as previous catastrophic accidents have taught the lesson. But no such plans are in place.

There should be strict implementation of rules by traffic controlling officials for drivers to have their supporting-chains with vehicles while traveling through Salang Pass. Weather could be predicted and snowfall known a day before, but sliding and avalanches cannot be predicted. The catastrophe in February 2010 which killed 170 people was caused by sudden avalanche when thousands of vehicles were lined in slow traffic inside the long tunnel. Once the avalanche blocked both sides, vehicles remained inside for days. 

The poor control and traffic management sometimes cause the blockade of vehicles, and more people are trapped in snow. The concerned authorities of Ministry of Public Works should also plan repair work of the deplorable Salang Pass. Built in 1960s, the tunnel has fractures that can collapse anytime.

We face heavy snowfall in particular areas that cause deaths every year. The relevant Government authorities should have learned from annual accidents to be prepared for rescue and disaster management.