Heavy snow and avalanches in the Afghan province of Badakhshan have killed at least 16 people. Many more are missing, feared dead.
Provincial Governor Shah Waliullah Adeeb said that 2-3 metres of snow has fallen in some areas.
Officials say that the big fall and shortages of equipment have made it almost impossible for rescue teams to reach the worst-affected areas.
The BBC reports at least 72 houses in one village have been buried by an avalanche.
Officials say that landslides have cut off at least 12 districts from the provincial capital of Faizabad.
The BBC reports Badakhshan is a remote and mountainous province. Most districts there are closed for almost half the year because of snow and avalanches.
