Sikkim landslide: Army rescues 230 tourists stranded near Nathu La

Gangtok : The Mountain Black Cat Division of the Indian Army has rescued 230 tourists last night when they were stranded near Changu Lake (13300 ft height) , 15 km away from Nathu La, on India-China border in eastern Sikkim. Heavy rain and landslides in this area has cut off traffic. The nearest regiment of army jawans noticed nearly 47 vehicles carrying tourists who were stranded at night. They were provided accomodation in army camps, and warm clothes, food, blankets and beddings were provided. 

A senior officer of Army's Black Cat Division said, the landslide occured at Kyangonosa La on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg towards Nathu La. The tourists included 95 men, 83 ladies and 51 children. All of them were sent back to gangtok this morning. Chief Engineer of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) SS Porwal said, BRO staff were busy cleaning up the road blockage caused due to landslide. Meanwhile, Sikkim Government has prohibited movement of vehicles of tourists or traders on the Gangtok-Nathu La road till Saturday due to bad weather. 

Met department has forecasted torrential rainfall in Sikkim in the next 2-3 days. Porwal said, North Sikkim Highway would be closed any time due to landslide specially in Phodong, Lanthekhola and also some parts of the Lachen routes on way to Gurudongmar Lake. A 40 member team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached Sikkim yesterday from Siliguri. It will camp at Mangan, North Sikkim till the monsoons are over.