Amid the heat of the second and final phase of polling in Bengal, heavy snowfall started again in the higher areas of North and East Sikkim from early Wednesday morning. The Nathu-La road is blocked under a thick layer of ice. The Sikkim administration has stopped the issue of travel passes after the Changu Valley due to the increase in the number of tourists due to the addiction of seeing the snowfall. A similar situation has occurred in high areas such as Zero Point, Gurdungmar Lake in North Sikkim. The Sikkim administration has warned the tourists that the temperature has dropped alarmingly in the tourist centers of the higher areas due to continuous snowfall. Roads have become slippery in some areas and the danger of ‘black ice’ has increased. Reduced visibility. For that reason, they decide the travel schedule after seeing the report of the Meteorological Department and discussing with the tour operators.
According to Met Office sources, light to moderate snowfall will continue till May 3 in higher areas of Gangtok and Mangan districts of East and North Sikkim. An ‘orange’ warning of heavy rain has been issued in the two districts on Wednesday and Thursday. Naturally, there is a risk of landslides. Also the temperature is dropping rapidly due to rain and snow. The temperature at Nathu-La Pass on the China border in East Sikkim dipped to minus 3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. More may come down from Thursday. There will be gusty winds with snowfall till May 3. Already, the danger has increased as the oxygen level in the air has decreased significantly. But the temperature of Changu valley is at 1 degree Celsius. It is likely to reach zero degrees on Thursday. The minimum temperature in Sherathang fell to minus 1 degree Celsius on Wednesday. It is likely to drop to 2 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
The temperature at Nathu-La Pass on the China border in East Sikkim dipped to minus 3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. More may come down from Thursday. There will be gusty winds with snowfall till May 3. Already, the danger has increased as the oxygen level in the air has decreased significantly.
Meanwhile, popular tourist spots Baba Mandir and Nathula Road have been closed due to heavy snowfall. Jawaharlal Nehru Road is open till Changu Valley. The section of RN Road including Juluk is open for tourists. Fresh snowfall was reported in Changu Valley and Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple on Wednesday afternoon as well. That area has been transformed into white territory. The normal public life there has been disrupted. Traffic is stopped after Changu Valley. Below freezing temperatures. Ice flakes are blowing in the cold wind in Konkan. The road is covered in snow several feet deep. Visibility has decreased alarmingly.
Raj Basu, head of Help Tourism, said, “The Sikkim administration has advised tourists to be cautious, especially about travel on the Jawaharlal Nehru Road. Tourists have been told to check the weather and road conditions before planning a trip as intermittent snowfall may affect road travel.”
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