The Indian Army recently rescued around 2500 tourists who were struck near the India-China border in Sikkim’s Nathu La due to heavy snowfall. The tourists were stranded between the nearly 27 km area and Nathu La in Sikkim. A defence ministry official told that the tourists including several women and children have now been provided necessary food, shelter and warm clothes by the Indian Army.
The official informed that nearly 300 to 400 civil vehicles were found stranded. The tourists were returning after visiting Nathu La Pass along the Indo-China border.
On getting the information, the Indian Army vigorously swung into action in order to ensure rescue and relief for the tourists. Some of the tourists were also provided with the necessary medical help from the Indian Army. Around 1500 tourists have been accommodated at 17 Mile and the remaining tourists have been shifted to 13 Mile.
Also, two sets of JCBs and Dozers of Border Roads Organisation(BRO) have been provided by the Indian Army for the purpose of snow clearance and restoration of road connectivity by the earliest.
According to the Army officials, the evacuation operation will continue in the area until all the stranded tourists are safely moved out towards Gangtok.