Heavy Snowfall Along Indo-China Border, Red Alert Issued For Sikkim
Fresh snowfall covered the upper regions near the Indo-China border, including the Nathula Pass area, on Friday. The intense cold wave caused temperatures to drop sharply across Sikkim, reaching sub-zero levels in several mountain zones.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy to very heavy snowfall was reported around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake since early morning. The IMD has declared a red alert for Sikkim, warning that severe weather conditions are expected to persist for the next 24 hours.
Travel Restrictions and Safety Measures
Local authorities have urged tourists and transport operators to avoid traveling to high-altitude areas, as roads have become slick from snow buildup. Teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are continuously clearing routes to maintain essential connectivity. Residents have been asked to exercise caution, while disaster response units remain on standby by order of the state government.
Temperature Outlook
Officials indicated that temperatures in the Nathula area may drop further overnight, marking one of the season’s earliest and most intense snowfalls.
Environmental Funding Update
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) has allocated Rs 8.3 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework, following the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
“Heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded in and around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo Lake,” the IMD reported.
Author’s summary: A sudden, intense snowfall near the Indo-China border led to red alerts and travel bans across Sikkim, with authorities mobilizing teams while temperatures plunged below zero.