Kabul , Afghanistan ( CNN ) As the avalanches continue in mountainous northeastern Afghanistan , the death toll keeps rising . For a third day in a row , heavy snowstorms caused avalanches in the Panjshir province on Thursday , bringing the total to 168 , officials said . They began Tuesday , continued Wednesday and two more avalanches took place Thursday , said provincial Gov . Abdul Rahman Kabiri . Authorities fear the toll will grow much higher since rescue personnel are yet to reach the worst affected areas . Panjshir is a small , mountainous province north of the capital , Kabul . Its residents are generally poor , earning their living as farmers , shepherds or operators of small businesses such as groceries .
Authorities fear the toll will grow higher . The death toll from a massive earthquake that struck off Mexico's Pacific coast on Tuesday has risen to at least 1,976, according to Mexican authorities.