Gangtok: Over 800 people stranded between Tsomgo Lake and Thegu in East Sikkim due to a sudden snowstorm and hail were successfully evacuated, officials said on Monday.
Hundreds of tourists and locals caught in the unexpected turn of weather were successfully rescued due to the combined efforts of the Sikkim Police and the Indian Army.
The authorities confirmed that the stranded individuals were safely brought to secure areas and no casualties or major injuries were reported.
The sudden snowstorm and hail on Sunday afternoon led to treacherous road conditions, making it difficult for vehicles to move.
The rescue teams acted swiftly, offering immediate assistance and organizing temporary accommodations for the stranded individuals.
In the wake of heavy snowfall, Nathula Pass has been closed to tourists, and no permits for travel to the area were issued on Monday.
According to officials, the decision was taken considering the dangerous road conditions and the safety of visitors.
On Sunday, several tourist vehicles near Nathula had to be evacuated with the help of the Sikkim Police and local residents after unexpected snowfall blocked the roads.
Authorities said such preventive measures were crucial to avoid any untoward incidents.
Meanwhile, the weather department has issued a warning that the state may receive more rainfall in the next few days and the authorities have issued a warning for the tourists who are willing to visit the East Sikkim localities.
The administration has suspended tourism activity in Eastern Sikkim for the next few days and depending on weather conditions, the suspension will be lifted.
Earlier on Friday, more than 1,000 tourists were evacuated in various locations in North Sikkim due to continuous heavy rainfall and landslides.
Landslides had occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen Chungthang road, previously affected by a glacial lake outburst flood, as well as in Lema and Bob on Lachung Chungthang road, on the other side of Chungthang.
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Relentless rainfall has triggered flood-like conditions across North Sikkim, disrupting road connectivity and severely impacting travel safety. The authorities have been working to restore the proper connectivity in various parts of northern Sikkim.
