noun
pause; interruption; break; cessation
Refers to a temporary stop or break in something that was continuous, such as a flow, supply, communication, or activity. Often used with 途絶える (とだえる), the verb form.
雨で交通が途絶えになった。
Traffic came to a halt due to the rain.
連絡が途絶えている。
Contact has been interrupted.
Compound of 途 (way, path) and 絶え (discontinuation, from verb 絶える). The spelling 跡絶え uses 跡 (trace, mark) instead, emphasizing the disappearance of traces.