Snow hinders relief work in quake-affected Tibet

Snowy weather and landslides have hindered rescue and relief efforts in quake-affected areas in the Tibet region.

Roads, power and communication remain cut off from Rongxar town in Tingri county in Tibet. Snow drifts reached 10 cm on the road leading to the town, where houses collapsed following the 7.9-magnitude quake in Nepal, Xinhua news agency reported.

Twelve Chinese soldiers reached the town on Monday. In the worst-hit village, more than 95 percent of the houses collapsed and casualties have been reported, according to Shen Yong, head of the team.

More than 100 soldiers are on their way to the town with tents, quilts and bottled water.

Quake-triggered landslides have blocked many roads to Tibet's border towns of Gyirong and Zham.

Twenty people have been reported killed in Tibet following the strong quake, which has claimed more than 3,300 lives in Nepal.