Seven people were killed in an avalanche in Kafnu village of remote Kinnaur district of northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Wednesday.
High alert has been sounded in the entire district, that has already received six feet of snow.
Amidst heavy snowfall, relief and rescue operations are on in Kafnu village of Bhaba valley.
Sub-divisional magistrate Kalpa Prashant Deshta told Indian media that avalanche stuck Kafnu village on Tuesday night taking two houses in its fold.
“So far we have received information about seven casualties. Avalanche came in the Munu nullah near Panchayat ghar of Kafnu village. Residents of six houses were evacuated on Tuesday night itself,” he said.
Deshta said entire Kinnaur district is experiencing continuous heavy snowfall. While four feet snow was recorded till Tuesday, another one-and-half feet was recorded on Wednesday morning, he said.
“Already a high alert has been sounded in the district and people have been advised to stay indoors on account of increased intensity of avalanches,” Deshta added.
In Kinnaur district, emergency hospital and fire services have been kept ready at district headquarters Reckong Peo.
Power supply was restored on Tuesday but on Wednesday again the entire district plunged into darkness.
Sliding glaciers in the nullahs across the district have forced the people in Kinnaur district to remain inside their homes.
Tribals districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti besides tribal areas of Pangi-Bharmour in Chamba district are witnessing heavy snowfall for the last three days.
While the water pipes have frozen, power lines have been snapped forcing people to remain without power. It is the traditional “tandoors” that have kept the rooms warm in tribal areas where minimum temperature has reached several degrees below zero.
In the snowbound areas of Himachal Pradesh 180 roads are blocked, bringing the transportation system to a complete halt. Shimla meteorological centre has warned of heavy to very heavy snowfall during next 24 hours in the state.