255 dead, 453 rescued in snow-hit J&K

The toll in avalanche-hit areas of Jammu and Kashmir has touched 255.

Kashmir has seen 195 deaths; the figure in Jammu is 60, police sources said on Thursday.

The sources added that 373 were rescued from Kashmir and 80 from Jammu. Twenty-three were reported missing from Kashmir and 19 from Jammu, they said.

"Over 164 were killed and 370 rescued in avalanche-hit areas of Nagni, Panznar and Waltingo villages in Anantnag district (in Kashmir)," an official said.

In south Kashmir, 14 were killed in Halsidan, 11 in Rangkund, two in Pakerpora, three in Chowgund and one in Reshipora, the official said.

The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway continues to remain closed.

Earlier reports:

IAF rescue over 24,000 in J&K

Heavy snowfalls claim 184 lives in J&K

Avalanche toll in J&K rises to 252

Army battles 70 feet of snow at LoC