Rain or Shine...

NINE VILLAGERS, including a four-year-old child, died when a landslide hit their homes in southern Tajikistan, officials said yesterday. The landslide in the village of Sarband, 37 miles south of the capital, Dushanbe, destroyed two houses.

The area is prone to earthquakes, and a slight tremor was registered there two days ago. Spring has also brought rains to the region, further destabilising the soil.