Sikkim tourism sector completely affected due to heavy snowfall.

Sikkim News Desk!! The tourism sector in Sikkim has been affected this week as several bookings have been canceled due to heavy snowfall in eastern and northern parts of the state, leaving many tourists stranded, an official said on Sunday. However, with the cleaning of roads and resumption of issuing passes, the number of tourists visiting the hot spots in these areas is gradually increasing, he said. Popular tourist spots like Tsomgo Lake, Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir in East Sikkim and Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley in the north were cut off from the state capital for the better part of the week. At least 900 tourists are stuck on the JN road connecting Gangtok to Tsomgo Lake and Nathula due to heavy snowfall. He was kept in an army camp for one night and was rescued the next morning.

Similarly, BRO (Border Road Organisation) also rescued 175 tourists from different parts of North and East Sikkim on Saturday and brought them back to Gangtok safely. And the Nathula Pass was suspended for a few days but has now resumed. Many tourists were stranded, so we had stopped issuing passes for three days. But now the roads have opened and we have started issuing passes again. We expect snowfall during this time of year. But this time, it was heavy,” he said. Last week, due to heavy snowfall, many tourists had to cancel their bookings at Tsongmo Lake and Nathula. This has dealt a blow to the sector. If such snowfall occurs again, the official said So it will be more affected.

“We also advise tourists not to travel to higher reaches for the time being as there is always a possibility of road blockades due to snowfall,” he added. Stranded has been received so far. However, if that happens, the machinery is ready.” An Indian Army official in North Sikkim said snowfall was continuing in the region but the army was prepared if the tourists were stranded again.