GANGTOK, April 22: Heavy snowfall in East Sikkim on April 21 caused severe traffic congestion, leaving tourists and local residents stranded for several hours along key routes, including the vital Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) axis.
Authorities initiated coordinated rescue and relief operations as conditions deteriorated. Personnel from the Indian Army, General Reserve Engineer Force, Sikkim Police, and the state’s Tourism and Civil Aviation Department worked alongside local volunteers and tourism stakeholders to manage the situation.
Rescue teams prioritised the evacuation of vulnerable individuals, including elderly travellers, while regulating traffic movement under challenging weather conditions. Simultaneously, road clearance operations were carried out to reopen blocked stretches.
Officials said the swift and coordinated response helped prevent further escalation. Stranded individuals were assisted, and no major injuries were reported during the operation.
Traffic along the JNM axis, considered a critical lifeline in the region, was restored after several hours of sustained intervention.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department acknowledged the role of all agencies involved, describing the response as marked by “exemplary coordination, dedication, and prompt action” in addressing the disruption caused by the sudden snowfall.
