Gangtok: Due to the fresh heavy snowfall in the higher regions of the Indo-China border areas, including the Nathula Pass area, on Friday, the temperature across Sikkim dipped down sharply to sub-zero levels in many high-altitude areas. As a result traffic movement along some mountain routes has been disrupted throwing normal life out of gear.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for Sikkim with a warning of continued sharp weather conditions over the next 24 hours. Besides since early morning, heavy to very heavy snowfall has been there in and around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake areas.
The State Government and Local Administration have advised tourists and transport operators to avoid travel to higher regions as the roads might have become slippery due to heavy snow. At the same time the teams of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are continuously working to clear the snow and ensure free flow of traffic.
(…being updated)