Army rescues over 2,500 stranded visitors in Sikkim

Gangtok, Dec 29 The Indian Army has rescued more than 2,500 travellers stranded close East Sikkim's seventeenth Mile area, near the India-China border, due to heavy snowfall, officials said Saturday.

The visitors were coming back from Nathu La pass and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake on Friday evening when snowfall in the locale blocked streets, leaving more than 300 to 400 common vehicles stranded at different focuses on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, East Sikkim District Magistrate Kapil Meena said.

He said the Army quickly swung without action and rescued the tourists. They were then conveyed 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 regular people 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.

Starting at now, no traveller vehicle will be allowed to ply on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road on path to the border region, the DM stated, adding activities were in progress to clear snow and restore road connectivity.