Coordinated effort restores traffic, evacuates civilians amid harsh weather conditions
Gangtok: the Indian Army launched a rescue operation on April 22 to evacuate tourists and residents stranded due to unexpected heavy snowfall in East Sikkim.
The sudden weather shift caused severe disruption, halting traffic and leaving several vehicles immobilised along key mountain routes. Acting swiftly, rescue teams began operations on Tuesday evening, working in close coordination with the General Reserve Engineer Force and the Sikkim Police.
Despite freezing temperatures and continuous snowfall, personnel carried out evacuation efforts on priority. Stranded individuals were safely moved to secure locations, particularly towards Gangtok. At the same time, teams worked to clear snow-covered stretches and restore connectivity along the vital Jawaharlal Nehru Road, a crucial route in the region.
Officials underlined that timely intervention and inter-agency coordination played a decisive role in preventing escalation of the situation. “Our focus remained on safety and quick restoration of movement,” an official noted.
As a result, normal traffic flow has largely been restored, and the risk to stranded commuters has been significantly reduced. Authorities continue to monitor weather conditions closely to respond promptly to any further disruptions.
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