Snow cuts off Kashmir highways, kills quake survivor

JAMMU, Tuesday (AFP) Heavy snow in Indian Kashmir Monday shut down key highways and killed at least one man in areas hit hard by last year's earthquake, police and residents said.

"The highway leading to Tangdhar has been closed for traffic due to the accumulation of heavy snow," said a police spokesman in Srinagar, the summer capital of the mountainous Kashmir region.

He said some 40 inches (100 centimetres) of snow had accumulated at Sadna Pass, the crest of the road to the remote village, which is usually isolated for two to four months in winter.

The government and army stockpile rations and kerosene for the winter well in advance and this year worked overtime to try to keep the road open for relief supplies to quake-affected areas. It has been snowing in Kashmir since Sunday morning.

Some 1,300 people were killed in Indian Kashmir and over 150,000 left homeless. In Pakistan and its portion of Kashmir more than 73,000 people were killed and millions left homeless.

The heavy snow also closed the region's main highway connecting Srinagar with the winter capital Jammu, police said. Traffic police officer Zahoor Ahmed said some 300 vehicles are stranded on the highway.

"We are worried about the people living in tents," said Akeela Urfi from Action Aid.

Residents said it had been snowing heavily in mountain villages, forcing people to brave cold to clear snow from their temporary housing before they collapse under the weight of snow.

Police said a 72-year-old man died in Balkote village when his shelter caved in due to snow.

Snow also closed down the region's main airport in Srinagar, officials said.

A cold snap sweeping northern India has killed more than 100 people since the start of December. But winter sports enthusiasts were seen heading to Gulmarg, Kashmir's main ski resort.