Snow forces Himalayan air rescue

The Himalayas are a popular tourist destination

The Indian military has rescued villagers cut off for six days by unexpectedly heavy snowfalls in the Himalayan mountains.

Police said airforce helicopters ferried 15 people from a remote part of the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Rescuers also brought out nearly 130 people - most of them tourists - trapped in the Rohtang Pass, at an altitude of nearly 4,000 metres.

Hundreds of travellers were affected by snow, which fell almost a month early.