Heavy Snow Traps Travelers in Kashmir

About 4,000 travelers were trapped along a mountain highway in the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir after 20 inches of snow had blocked roads, broken power lines and halted phone service across much of the Himalayan region, authorities said.

Jammu and Kashmir state Finance Minister Muzaffar Baig said authorities were unable to clear the highway between Srinagar and Jammu -- the state’s two capitals.

He said the government feared shortages of fuel and food because the highway is the only route for bringing goods into the valley. Travelers trapped south of Srinagar took shelter in villages and government offices.