10 killed, 20 wounded, 60 houses damaged in snow and rain in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 13 (UNI) Ten people were killed and 20 wounded while about 60 houses and other structures collapsed due to heavy snowfall and rains in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, official sources said today.

A police spokesman said one Ghulam Nabi Bhat, resident of Ashim Sonawari, died when snow fell on him at Awantipora in south Kashmir today.

He said one Abdul Hamid was killed when huge branches of chinar trees fell down due to heavy snowfall at Chandgam in south Kashmir district of Pulwama.

The branch fell on Hamid, killing him instantly, they said.

The spokesman said one Ghulam Mohammad Thakor was killed when he slipped down from the roof of his house while clearing snow at Kokernag in south Kashmir this morning.

One woman Wazira died when roof of her house collapsed at Gudsmuth, in the central Kashmir district of Badgam. Other family members escaped unhurt, he added.

Police spokesman said about 16 houses and other structures were damaged in Srinagar 14 in Pahalgam and Laripora in south Kashmir district of Anantnag, two in Ganderbal and one at Lalahar in Pulwama district.

Official sources said 60 houses and other structures, including a school building at Machil, were damaged in different parts of the state overnight due to snowfall and rains.

Reports from far flung and remote areas were not immediately available, they said.

Two persons were x x x picking up from para six of DR-55 ''WEATHER-KASHMIR-LEAD DEAD'' UNI