A massive avalanche hit Nathula border area – a popular tourist spot in Sikkim on Tuesday noon. According to PTI reports seven tourists have died and at least 11 others have been injured. While nearly 150 people are still trapped under the snow according to media reports. 30 people have been rescued so far and admitted to the STNM Hospital and Central Referral Hospital in Gangtok for treatment.
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The avalanche, which has also left around 150 people stranded, hit a little past noon near the 15th mile marker on a road that leads to the Nathula mountain pass along the Indo-China border. Local travel agents, commercial vehicle drivers and tourism department officials were seen helping out in the rescue operation.
PM Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the disaster. In a tweet PM said, “Distressed by the avalanche in Sikkim.Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I hope the injured recover soon. Rescue ops are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected.”
Sikkim has been witnessing regular snowfall over the past 30 days, forcing authorities to restrict movement of tourists till the 13th mile marker – a point on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road.
As per ANI reports, after the avalanche in Sikkim, the Jammu and Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) issued an avalanche warning in the Kupwara district in the next 24 hours. According to the authorities, the avalanche is likely to have a “low danger level”.
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