Kamal Ghorui
A spell of intense snowfall in East Sikkim on Tuesday left hundreds of tourists stranded along the high-altitude route to Nathula Pass, triggering a coordinated rescue effort by the Indian Army and civil authorities, ANI reported. Reports add that the disruption occurred near the 15 Mile stretch on the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) road, the key mountain artery connecting Gangtok to Nathula Pass and Tsomgo Lake. Officials said 540 vehicle permits had been issued for the day. While 216 vehicles descended before weather conditions worsened, 324 vehicles, many carrying tourists, were caught in heavy snowfall on their return journey.
(Photo/@trishakticorps)
In response, the Indian Army launched a swift humanitarian operation along the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) axis, the arterial mountain road connecting Gangtok to Nathula. Approximately 200–250 vehicles and an estimated 700–800 tourists were assisted between Milestone 13 and Milestone 17 in Gangtok district.Read more: After viral video, Indian Embassy in Seoul cautions Indians travelling under Jeju Island visa waiver scheme, issues advisory Stranded visitors were escorted to a nearby Army camp at 15 Mile, where arrangements were made for temporary shelter. Food, warm spaces and medical assistance were provided as a precaution, given the sub-zero temperatures typical of the region during snowfall. Reports further add that snow-clearing teams were simultaneously deployed to restore traffic movement. Heavy equipment and manpower were pressed into service to remove accumulated snow and ensure vehicles could be moved safely once conditions improved. Authorities said efforts were underway to reopen the stretch at the earliest. The incident comes days after another rescue operation in East Sikkim. This is not the first such incident this season. On February 23, troops from the Army’s Trishakti Corps carried out a separate rescue in East Sikkim after heavy snowfall left tourists stranded in freezing conditions. In that operation, 46 visitors were evacuated to safety, and more than 150 vehicles were guided to secure locations.Read more: Anand Mahindra called this Meghalaya waterfall ‘Poetry in Motion,’ and it might inspire your next trip Nathula Pass is one of the country’s most popular high-altitude mountain passes, situated close to the India-China border at an elevation of more than 14,000 ft. Along the same path lies Tsomgo Lake, which attracts travelers all year round for its breathtaking scenery, especially in the winter when snowfall turns the surrounding area into a blanket of white. However, the weather in the region can change very quickly, especially during winter, resulting in the sudden closure of roads. The authorities also control the flow of vehicles through a permit system because of the sensitivity of the terrain to landslides and snow. As snow clearance continues, officials have urged travellers to check weather conditions and road advisories before planning trips to high-altitude areas in Sikkim.
