Army rescues 1,700 tourists stranded in Sikkim due to heavy snowfall

KOLKATA: Nearly 1,700 tourists from various parts of the country, including West Bengal, had to be rescued by the Army in Sikkim while they were returning from the Nathu La–Tsomgo Lake circuit on Friday evening. The tourists, travelling in nearly 300 taxis, got stranded at various locations along Jawaharlal Nehru Road between 13th Mile and Nathu La due to heavy snowfall.The soldiers risked their lives to rescue the stranded tourists and also shared meals and accommodation for the night.
“There were women, children and the elderly. Many were traumatised and several complained of respiratory problems. They were provided medical attention, hot meals and warm clothes. As it is, in forward areas, Army personnel have to make do in cramped accommodation. They left their bunk beds and blankets where the tourists spent the night. The soldiers huddled together in the extreme cold,” an officer in the Eastern Command said.
The Army’s Quick Reaction Teams swung into action immediately after receiving information that the tourists were stranded. Despite poor visibility and incessant snowfall, the tourists were helped out of the stranded taxis to Army vehicles that had chains fixed to their wheels for movement along snowclad terrain. While many of the tourists moved towards Gangtok, nearly 570 of them were accommodated at the Army Camp at 17th Mile.
“There was a time when I started feeling that the end of my life was nearing. There was no way our taxis could move. It was terribly cold and we were chilled to our bones despite the warm clothing we had on. It was dark and the car headlights were starting to die. The soldiers actually carried people on their shoulders to awaiting vehicles. Later in the evening, they shared their food with us in that extreme climate. I shall remain indebted to the Army for this all my life,” a tourist said.
In January this year, the Army had rescued over 3,000 tourists from nearly the same locations. On Friday and Saturday, Army also provided dozers and other equipment to clear the road so tourists can return to Gangtok.