The mass of snow slide along the slope surface with essential rapidity and destructive power. The most avalanche-dangerous months are January, February and March. The most of dry avalanches results from the snow slopes overloading in winter periods. Wet avalanches are formed by humid and wet snow, and descend predominantly in spring period. The quantity of snow passed by avalanche can exceed 200 thous m3.
Avalanches also serve as disintegrated material accumulation source.
Avalanches often destroy roads, cover automobiles. Thus, in 1997 avalanches in Central Tajikistan covered more than 28 cars. Alpine forests are the natural defense from avalanches. The annihilation of forests on the slopes of mountains intensifies avalanches activity. Moreover, such measure, as premeditated destruction of snow masses by special cannons have been practiced for rather a long period as anti-avalanche measure.