India: Thousands feared dead in avalanches and extreme cold

Helicopters dropped food, medicine and blankets to avalanche-hit villages in the divided Himalayan region of Kashmir on today, while soldiers recovered at least 40 more bodies as the death toll from the worst weather in years neared 300.

Freezing temperatures also have killed hundreds of people throughout mountainous regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan, with at least one official saying the toll could be in the thousands with many villages cut off by snow and landslides.