Sikkim Avalanche Live: Mile 14 on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg Road
NH 310, East Sikkim.Avalanche in Sikkim News Live Updates: Seven tourists were killed and a dozen injured after an avalanche struck the Gangtok-Nathu La road in Sikkim on Tuesday afternoon. “All tourists & tourist vehicles have been accounted for. The rescue operation has been called off. Details of recovered tourists will be shared later,” a statement from the NDRF informed.
According to BRO, the avalanche struck 14th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Road connecting Gangtok to Nathu La pass at approximately 12:15 pm. An estimated 20-30 tourists were feared to be trapped under the snow along with five-six vehicles after the avalanche. “By 3 PM, 14 persons were rescued and taken to nearby Army medical facility. However, seven persons succumbed. The other seven persons were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok,” the Army said in a statement.
Nathu La, one of the most important Himalayan passes in the country, is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. It is over 55 kilometres from Gangtok.
The East district has been experiencing rainfall and snowfall in the higher reaches since Friday, a weather official said. Forecasts and nowcasts on rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning have been issued, he said.
In the 24 hours till 8.30 am on Tuesday, 50 mm rainfall was recorded by the Gangtok weather station, he added. (PTI)
? Sikkim's East District, which witnessed a massive avalanche that claimed several lives on Tuesday, ranks ninth in landslide density and risk exposure among all districts in the country.
? According to the Landslide Atlas of India, released by ISRO's Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre, Sikkim witnessed 1,561 landslides between 2011 and 2017, with most falling in the category of event-based landslides triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall.
? Sikkim's South District ranks eighth across the country in terms of landslide density and risk exposure. (PTI)
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang condoled the deaths, and said that he was praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"My heart goes out to the bereaved family and friends in this hour of grief and I pray that the departed souls rest in eternal peace," Tamang said. (PTI)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was deeply distressed by the news of the avalanche and expressed grief over the loss of lives.
"My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy, and their families. Wishing all the best to the teams involved in the rescue mission," he said in a Facebook post.
Seven people were killed and a dozen injured after an avalanche struck the Gangtok-Nathu La road in Sikkim on Tuesday afternoon.
According to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the avalanche struck 14th Jawaharlal Nehru Road connecting Gangtok to Nathu La pass at approximately 12:15 pm, trapping 25-30 tourists under the snow. (Read More)
Nathu La, one of the most important Himalayan passes in the country, is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. It is over 55 kilometres from Gangtok.
“All tourists & tourist vehicles have been accounted for. The rescue operation has been called off. Details of recovered tourists will be shared later,” a statement from the NDRF informed.
According to BRO, the avalanche struck 14th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Road connecting Gangtok to Nathu La pass at approximately 12:15 pm. An estimated 20-30 tourists were feared to be trapped under the snow along with five-six vehicles after the avalanche.
“By 3 PM, 14 persons were rescued and taken to a nearby Army medical facility. However, seven persons succumbed. The other seven persons were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok,” the Army said in a statement.
At least seven tourists were killed and a dozen injured after an avalanche struck the Gangtok-Nathu La road in Sikkim on Tuesday afternoon. Search and rescue mission is presently underway by the Army, State Disaster Management Team and Police.