Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 28

The Army has rescued about 1,500 tourists who were stranded due to snow en route Natu La in eastern Sikkim.

Natu La, often referred to as ‘Nathu La’, is a border meeting point of Indian and Chinese troops at an altitude of 14,000 feet.

Some 300 taxis carrying the tourists had been stranded while returning from the Natu La pass and Tsomgo Lake on Friday evening and got stranded midway at various points along the Jawaharlal Nehru Road as the motorable stretch was blocked by snow.

The Indian Army initiated a rescue operation in poor visibility and inclement weather. The stranded tourists were provided food, warm clothing and medicines.

Approximately 1,500 travellers, including women, children and elderly, were rescued and 570 of them accommodated at the Army Camp at 17th Mile.

Army earthmovers and bulldozers are working to clear the snow and restore road connectivity. The evacuation process would continue till all the visitors safely evacuated to the state capital Gangtok.