Heavy snowfall strands hundreds of tourists on Nathula-Tsomgo lake road

A large number of tourists were left stranded on the road to Nathula Pass and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake in East Sikkim after heavy snowfall hit the area on Monday. The snowfall, which began early in the morning, caused traffic to come to a standstill along the busy Changu-Nathula highway. According to officials, nearly 1,500 vehicles had been issued travel permits earlier in the day, most of them carrying tourists who had planned visits to the popular high-altitude spots.

The snowfall led to slippery roads and poor visibility, which resulted in traffic congestion stretching for several kilometers. Many tourists, including women, children, and elderly people, were stuck inside their vehicles in freezing temperatures. Local police and rescue teams rushed to the area as soon as the situation was reported. Rescue operations began immediately to ensure the safety of those stuck in the snow.