KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban-run Ministry of Public Works said Saturday that the Salang Pass has been temporarily closed to large vehicles and cargo trucks due to heavy snowfall and treacherous road conditions.
In a statement, the ministry said the decision was made to prevent human and financial losses, citing dangerous levels of ice and ongoing snowfall in the area.
The pass, which links Kabul with at least nine northern and northeastern provinces, was previously closed on Thursday night because of poor weather, but reopened briefly on Friday morning before deteriorating conditions prompted another shutdown.
Officials said that road clearance crews are working to remove snow and restore access. Traffic will resume once safety conditions are deemed adequate.
The Salang Pass, a critical transportation artery through the Hindu Kush mountains, is frequently affected by harsh winter weather and has been the site of deadly avalanches and traffic accidents in the past. Authorities routinely issue closures during periods of extreme weather to mitigate risk.
