Wednesday, February 23 2005 10:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: With the weather holding, operations to retrieve bodies and rescue survivors yesterday (Feb 22, 2005) picked up momentum in avalanche-hit Jammu and Kashmir where the death toll mounted to 203 with the recovery of 79 more bodies buried under the snow.

Of the bodies recovered yesterday, 65 were from three villages of Anantnag district in Kashmir valley, which were lashed by avalanches on Saturday (Feb 19, 2005) and Sunday (Feb 20, 2005).

"As many as 151 people were killed and their bodies have been recovered and 371 rescued from massive avalanches hit Nagni, Panznar and Waltingo villages, 10 km northwest of Qazigund, and Chitnaar in Kapran area of Verinag," district police chief Anantnag, A H Bukhari said.

In Jammu division, 52 persons have been killed and 71 were rescued from the avalanche-hit areas in Poonch and Doda districts till yesterday evening, SSP, Police Control Room, Salem Baigh said.

Six civilian flights - three of Indian Airlines, two of Jet Airways and one Air Sahara - operated from Srinagar taking out stranded passengers and tourists.

Continuing its biggest peace-time day-night rescue and relief efforts, Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted 1,700 people, including 48 foreign tourists to safety and ferried essential supplies, including foodgrains, vegetables, blankets and medicines to the snow-clad Kashmir valley.

Efforts were on to clear the roads in the State, including the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar national highway of snow.