7 killed in avalanche in northern India

NEW DELHI - At least seven people have been killed in an avalanche in Himachal Pradesh as heavy snowfall brought life to a standstill in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, a senior police official said Wednesday.

"The victims were killed when the avalanche hit Kafnu village in the state's remote Kinnaur district late Tuesday night. More people are feared to be trapped in the avalanche as efforts are going on to search for any more survivors," he said, on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, heavy snowfall has brought life to a standstill in the entire district.

"The entire Kinnaur district is experiencing continuous heavy snowfall. While four feet snow was recorded till Tuesday, another one-and-half feet was recorded this morning. Already a high alert has been sounded in the district," Kalpa Prashant Deshta, a local government official told the media.

However, power has been restored in the district which faced a blackout since last evening.