NEW DELHI. Apr 3: Earthquake-devastated Himalayan villages in India's remote north remained cut off after an unexpected snowfall forced the air force to cancel flights to drop food and tents, officials said, reports AP.

An overcast sky in the rest of the region on Friday also impeded relief work by the air force and army, which were penetrating remote areas that have remained out of reach for the last five days.

"We are standing by," said Squadron Leader R K Dhingra. the main spokesman for the air force. "If the weather continues to be bad. rescue work will be affected."

Since Monday's 6.8-magni-tude quake, the lower Himalaya stretch has been rocked by nearly 50 strong and mild tremors. At least 100 people have been killed by official count, but subsequent reports from outlying villages suggest more than 110 have died.

An aftershock measuring 4.8 hit the region early Friday, killing at least one person in Pipal Koti. not far from

Chamoli, which bore the brunt of the earthquake, an Uttar Pradesh state government official said.

Angry villagers near Chamoli surrounded an army rescue team late Thursday and refused to let it leave, Brigadier AP Sayyed. the senior officer responsible for the army operation. told The Associated Press. They calmed down after the commander promised government help was arriving. Sayyed said.

"We are taking tents and food but most of all they want financial help, which the civilian administration is looking after." Sayyed said in a telephone interview from an army base in Rudraprayag town.

Seven large air force helicopters and four smaller army aircraft dropped food packets and tents across the mountains where thousands of houses have been destroyed or badly damaged.

But poor victims left homeless by the powerful temblor complained help wasn't coming fast enough.