At least four people are still missing after an avalanche hit their homes in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district early today. Earlier seven people were believed to be trapped but rescue teams have managed to pull out three people. Two houses were found buried in snow, rescue officials said.
Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner J.M Pathania said that a local panchayat panch had informed the authorities that an avalanche had struck near village Kafnu and relief and rescue teams were immediately rushed to the spot.
The entire tribal belt is experiencing heavy snowfall for the past three days and normal Life had been completely paralysed as all the highways and link roads were blocked due to snow and even pedestrian movement within tribal valleys has come to a halt.
The higher reaches in the state and mid hills including state capital Shimla are experiencing intermittent heavy snowfall since last night and various parts of the town recorded 15 to 30 cm of snow till this morning.
The Tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts and tribal areas of Pangi and Bharmaur are also experiencing heavy snowfall for past three days and all schools have been closed in Lahaul and Spiti district for three days.
(With inputs from PTI)