Residents of a village in southern Germany have been ordered to leave their homes immediately due to an “acute” avalanche risk.

Authorities said villagers of Raiten, near the Austrian border, should take important documents and medicines with them, and inform neighbours who may be unaware of the warning.

Firefighters clear snow from a roof in Inzell, Germany
Firefighters clear snow from a roof in Inzell, Germany (Matthias Schrader/AP)

Heavy snowfall over the past few weeks has greatly heightened the risk of avalanches in parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Dozens of people have died in avalanches and weather-related accidents.

German meteorological service DWD said the amount of snowfall in the Alps recently was unusual but not exceptional.

Children enjoy the snow-covered slopes in Oslo, Norwa
Children enjoy the snow-covered slopes in Oslo, Norway (Erik Johansen / NTB scanpix via AP)

The agency said heavy precipitation might become more frequent due to climate change, though rising temperatures mean it could come down as rain rather than snow.