Thursday, February 24 2005 09:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: With rescue operations entering the third day, the death toll has gone up to 252 and 50 reported still missing while 446 were rescued from the avalanche-struck Jammu and Kashmir, where Jammu-Srinagar highway is blocked for 6th day yesterday (Feb 23, 2005).

Of the total dead, 196 people perished in Kashmir and 56 in Jammu division and of the 446 rescued, 373 were saved in Kashmir and 73 in Jammu till today, police officials said.

"As many as 164 persons were killed and their bodies have been recovered and 370 rescued from massive avalanches hit Nagni, Panznar and Waltingo villages, 10 km northwest of Qazigund in Anantnag district," the officials said.

Similarly, 14 were killed in Halsidan, 11 in Rangkund, two in Pakerpora, three in Chowgund and one in Reshi Pora in rest of south Kashmir, they said.

Rescue operation by the security forces have been intensified and over 23 are still missing in these areas, they said.

In Jammu division, 56 people have been killed and 73 were rescued from the avalanche hit-areas in Poonch and Doda districts till yesterday afternoon, they said.

They said that 22 are missing, while 229 houses have been totally damaged in the division. Besides one temple and mosque were also damaged in the avalanches in the region.