Friday, March 4 2005 13:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Jammu: The death toll due to unprecedented snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir has crossed 300, with half of them in the worst-hit Waltingu village, while over 1800 people have been injured or disabled, Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Hakim Mohammad Yassin said today (Mar 4, 2005).

The death toll due to snowstorm and avalanches has gone upto 302 and it can further rise as several areas, especially in Doda district, are cut off, the Minister said, adding as many as 1,805 people have also been injured or disabled so far in the calamity.

With the recovery of three more bodies from Waltingu, the toll in the village has gone up to 160 and in Kashmir valley to 204.

The damage assessed so far from affected districts of the State indicate that about 5,000 have damaged either fully or partially so far, Yaseen said in Jammu.

Search and rescue operation in the village were continuing in the affected areas.

The Central Government has provided Rs 50 crore for relief and rescue measures and the State Government has also earmarked Rs 70 crore for the purpose, Yaseen said.

He said that the administration has placed Rs 8 crore at the disposal of two Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar and other Deputy Commissioners for providing immediate relief to the affected families.