Sikkim Avalanche: Severe avalanche in Sikkim, seven tourists killed; 13 injured, PM Modi expressed grief

Posted on 5th Apr 2023 by rohit kumar

Seven tourists were killed and 13 injured when a massive avalanche hit the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) on National Highway 310 from Sikkim's capital Gangtok to Nathula at 11 am on Tuesday. The injured have been shifted to STNM Hospital in Gangtok after first aid at Indian Army Hospital.

 

rescue and relief operations started

Following the avalanche, the Indian Army's Trishakti Corps personnel, Border Roads Organization (BRO), and Sikkim Police launched a joint rescue and relief operation. During the rescue and relief operation, Army personnel rescued 27 tourists from the snow, out of which six tourists were pulled out of a deep gorge. Seven bodies were fished out by 4 pm. The dead include five men, a woman, and a child.

 

At the same time, there is still a possibility of missing some tourists. Rescue and relief work is going on with the help of the Disaster Management Department. It was told that most of the tourists are from India and Nepal. According to the information, on Tuesday morning, five vehicles full of tourists were going to Nathu La via the 15-mile complex of the JNM road leading to the India-China International Border area.

 

PM Modi expressed grief

On the other hand, the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident avalanche in Sikkim. PM Modi said that he is worried about the avalanche incident in Sikkim. He said, “Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I hope the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to the affected.

 

According to eyewitnesses, BRO personnel were clearing snow from the road in the 15 Mile Complex. Meanwhile, the tourists started playing and taking photographs in the frozen snow in the mountain. Everyone was taking photos at different places. The Sikkim Police and BRO personnel stationed there tried to stop these tourists from playing, jumping, and clicking photographs there. The jawans were asking all of them to leave when an avalanche occurred. By the time all of them could understand something, an accident happened and these tourists came under its grip.

 

A police official said that tourists were not allowed to go beyond Milestone 13 due to bad weather, but the tourists asked tour operators and drivers to take them to the area where the incident took place.

 

Woman buried in snow for one hour and five minutes

In the incident, a woman was buried under the snow for about an hour and five minutes. Army personnel was successful in taking out the woman alive. Apart from this, 80 vehicles carrying around 350 tourists got stuck due to road closure due to snow in the region. All the vehicles and tourists have been safely sent to Gangtok during the rescue and relief work. This is the first time such a large number of tourists have died due to an avalanche in East Sikkim.

 

Earlier tourists in this area used to lose their lives due to difficulty in breathing. Many times tourists have also died due to vehicle accidents.

 

The Meteorological Department had expressed apprehension

It will rain continuously in the state for the next few days. Along with this, there will be snowfall in the high-altitude areas. A forecast regarding snowfall and rain was also issued from the science center. From coming Friday, there is a possibility of less rain in the state. Gopinath Raha, in charge of the meteorological center in Gangtok, said snowfall is expected for the next two days. Because of the weather, everyone has been advised to take precautions.

 

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