On Sunday, the Indian Army rescued 1027 tourists who were stranded in various districts of Sikkim. (The 26th of December) Snow has fallen in parts of East Sikkim bordering China - Nathu La and Tsomgo - since December 25, stranding cars and visitors in the region. "The Indian Army rescued about 1027 tourists caught in the upper areas of East Sikkim near the China Border at Nathu La following severe snow on Saturday," according to an Indian Army statement.
Army personnel from the Black Cat Division stationed in the region intervened and rescued the visitors, transporting them to a military base at 17 Mile. All of the visitors were given lodging, hot meals, warm clothes, and vital medical assistance.
"The cars started skidding on the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects these villages with Gangtok, after the severe snowfall." There were around 1027 visitors in 120 automobiles stranded across a 15-kilometer stretch," the statement continued.
On Saturday afternoon, heavy snowfall fell in the Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, and surrounding areas, reducing the temperature to below zero. The first snowfall of the season fell in parts of North and East Sikkim, attracting a large number of tourists as the government opened its doors to visitors.