In the worst incident eight members of one family died when their mudbrick house collapsed under the weight of snow in western Herat province overnight, Nooruddin Ahmadi, head of the Afghan Red Crescent in Herat, said.

Among others killed were six shepherds from a mountainous region in the province and two people in an avalanche nearby, he added.

Five perished in another avalanche in neighbouring Farah province.

More than 250 policemen have been left stranded by the poor weather and at least 16 civilians are missing.

In nearby Ghor province, another rugged and mountainous region, three people were killed when an avalanche smothered their home, Ikramuddin Rezazada, deputy governor of Ghor said.

Police officers in the affected area escorting a UN food convoy hit trouble as most of the roads were blocked by snow up to one metre (three feet) deep, another official said.

Ahmadi called on the Kabul government and the international community for urgent support before it turns to a "real disaster."