An avalanche occurred today on the Murovdagh section of the Toghanali–Kalbajar–Istisu highway, resulting in a massive snow accumulation that has completely blocked the roadway. The snow mass, reaching heights of 10–15 meters, has brought traffic to a standstill in the mountainous region.
The Operative Information Center-OMM was informed by the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads (AAYDA) that emergency measures are currently underway to clear the debris and restore safe passage. "All relevant authorities have been notified of the incident. For safety reasons, the movement of vehicles in the directions of Toghanali and Kalbajar has been temporarily restricted. Drivers traveling in this direction are requested to temporarily use the Sugovushan–Sarsang Reservoir–Gozlukorpu–Kalbajar highway," the agency stated in an official announcement.
The Murovdagh mountain range is one of the highest in the Lesser Caucasus, known for its challenging terrain and severe weather conditions during the winter months. Since the liberation of Kalbajar, Azerbaijan has been heavily investing in the reconstruction of transport infrastructure in the region to ensure year-round connectivity. The Toghanali–Kalbajar highway, which includes the construction of one of the world's longest tunnels under the Murovdagh range, is a strategic project designed to bypass high-altitude areas prone to such natural disasters as avalanches and heavy snowfall.
