AUTHORITIES in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland have closed roads and some train lines due to heavy snowfall in the region.

The German news agency dpa reported yesterday that a 44-year-old man died in Wackersberg in Bavaria when he was hit by snow-laden branches. Three skiers in Austria and one woman in Bavaria died in weather-related incidents over the weekend.

Officials warned that the risk for avalanches in the northern Alps remains high.

In parts of southern Bavaria, schools were closed yesterday because of the weather conditions. (SD-Agencies)