1,500 tourists stranded in Sikkim rescued

The Indian Army has rescued about 1,500 tourists who were stranded in East Sikkim on Friday evening.

According to an official release said on Saturday, the tourists travelling in around 300 vehicles from Gangtok got stranded at various stretches of Jawahar Lal Nehru Road between 13th Mile and Nathu La due to heavy snowfall.

Around 570 travellers, including women, children and elderly persons, have been accommodated at Army Camp at 17th Mile, the release said. They have been provided with food, warm clothing and medicines.

Army earth-movers and bulldozers are working to clear the snow and restore connectivity, the release said, adding the evacuation process will continue till all the visitors safely return to Gangtok.dian Army has rescued about 1,500 tourists who were stranded in East Sikkim on Friday evening.