National
Three Nepalis among seven dead in Sikkim avalanche
According to a statement issued by the District Collector, Gangtok, the avalanche hit the Gangtok-Nathu La JNM Road in northern Sikkim at around 12:15pm on Tuesday.Post Report
The Indian Express reported that the avalanche struck the 14th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Road connecting Gangtok to Nathu La pass at approximately 12:15 pm.
According to a statement issued by Tushar G Nikhare, the District Collector in Gangtok, the three Nepalis who succumbed to injuries following the natural disaster were–Shiva Prasad Lamichhane and Ashika Dhakal, 22, of Chitwan and Muna Shah Shrestha, 29, of Rupandehi.
As per the statement, arrangements are being made by the Sikkim government to transport the bodies and hand them over to concerned authorities.
The natural disaster has also left 13 people, all Indian nationals, injured. The injured are receiving treatment at STNM Hospital in Gangtok, according to the statement.
As per the Voice of Sikkim report, nine persons among the injured were discharged following treatment.
According to a Reuters report, rescue teams made final checks on Wednesday for anyone still trapped in the avalanche.
On Tuesday, 20 survivors were pulled from the snow before calling off their search as bad weather closed in and darkness fell.
Avalanches have killed at least 120 people in the Indian Himalayas over the past two years.
Nathu La serves as a route for the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in China, considered one of the holiest pilgrimages in Hinduism.