Army rescues 3,000 tourists from Sikkim

The Indian Army has rescued nearly 3,000 tourists, stranded due to heavy snowfall in the Nathu La area in Sikkim near the border with China. According to Army officials the tourists traveling in about 400 vehicles were returning after visiting the Nathu La pass. The rescue operations were conducted on Friday, stated a release from the Army’s Eastern Command on Saturday.

“The area between 17 Mile and Natu La along the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, received very heavy snow fall on 28 December 2018. This led to 300 to 400 civil vehicles getting stranded near 17 Mile carrying close to 3,000 tourists which included women, children and elderly persons, who were returning after visit to Natu La Pass along the India -China border,” stated the release.

The tourists were with provided warm clothing along with food and shelter by Army jawans. While about 2,500 of them were lodged at an Army barracks at 17 Mile, the rest were provided accommodation at the 13 Mile Army camp.

“Over 2,500 tourist have been accommodated at army barracks in 17 Mile, while the balance have been lodged at 13 Mile Army Camp,” stated a release by the Army.

The Army also provided two sets pf JCBs along with bulldozers of the Border Roads Organisation to clear the road.

“The Indian Army has also provided two sets of JCBs and Dozers of BRO for snow clearance and restoration of road connectivity. As per the Indian Army, the evacuation operation will continue till all stranded tourists are safely moved out towards Gangtok,” stated the release.