2 dead, many more trapped in Jammu and Kashmir snow

Two shepherds have died and hundreds are believed to be trapped in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir because of snowfall. Hundreds of cattle are also thought to have perished.

The air force has been pressed into service to drop food packets in remote areas which have been cut off by road. Fourteen-year-old Roshni and six-year-old Afoo died of severe cold in Warwan valley, rescuers said.

Another 100 people are trapped and reaching out to them is proving to be difficult because of the thick blanket of snow that is preventing choppers from landing. There is no approximate count of the number of people trapped in other areas but community leaders say the number could be in hundreds because people were not expecting snowfall.

The air force was continuing the relief operation for the third consecutive day from its station at Udhampur. It was giving out blankets, mattresses, milk powder, biscuits, lighters, rice bags, breads, tarpaulin, atta (flour).