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Indain army personnel assistingthe stranded tourist due to heavy snowfall in Sikkim.[/caption]
Gangtok, Dec. 29 (IANS): As many as 2,946 tourists are stranded in Sikkim due to heavy snowfall which is hindering vehicular movement, an official said on Saturday.
“Heavy snowfall occurred in the upper reaches of Nathula, Changu, Ganeshtok and other places on Friday,” he said.
Around 400 tourist vehicles were stranded.
The tourists are being evacuated through joint efforts of the Army, check-post police and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF).
According to him, troops had vacated their barracks to accommodate some tourists to ensure their safety throughout the night.
The snow is being removed and the evacuation will start once the road is cleared. Vehicles will be moved with great precautions and tourists will be brought to Gangtok, the official said.
“Presently, it is very cold and windy and the roads are dangerous for normal vehicles,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Army has rescued more than 2,500 tourists stranded near East Sikkim’s 17th Mile area, close to the India-China border, due to heavy snowfall, officials said Saturday.
The tourists were returning from Nathu La pass and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake on Friday evening when snowfall in the region blocked roads, leaving over 300 to 400 civil vehicles stranded at various points on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, East Sikkim District Magistrate Kapil Meena said.
He said the Army immediately swung into action and rescued the tourists. They were then brought to a camp in 17th Mile area and served food and medicines. Arrangements were being made to transfer the tourists to the state capital.
“#IndianArmy rescued more than 2500 civilians stuck in more than 400 vehicles around Nathula, Sikkim due to heavy snowfall. All were provided food, shelter & medical care last night,” the Army tweeted Saturday.
As of now, no tourist vehicle will be allowed to ply on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road on way to the border region, the DM said, adding operations were underway to clear snow and restore road connectivity.
