Around 322 tourist vehicles were safely brought back after sudden snowfall left them stranded along the Jawaharlal Nehru Road in East Sikkim. The vehicles were stuck between 15th Mile and 13th Mile, near the Thula Khola area, under the jurisdiction of the Sherathang Check Post and Police Station. The snowfall was sudden and heavy enough to make the road slippery. Many vehicles could not move ahead or return, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded on the high-altitude stretch.
Officials said that as soon as information reached the authorities, a joint rescue operation was launched without delay. The operation involved personnel of the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), led by Raju Tamang of 15th Mile. Police personnel from the Sherathang area also joined the operation. Officers and staff from the Sikkim Tourism Department took part in coordinating with tour operators and drivers. Members of the Association of Sikkim Tour Operators (ASTHA), along with local residents and drivers, also helped in clearing the congestion and guiding vehicles safely.
Working together, the teams managed to evacuate all stranded tourists and vehicles from the affected stretch. The vehicles were escorted back safely towards Gangtok. Officials confirmed that there were no casualties or reports of major damage. The Jawaharlal Nehru Road is a key route connecting Gangtok to popular high-altitude tourist spots. During winter, the road often experiences sudden weather changes, including snowfall and fog, which can disrupt movement.