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The recent avalanche that occurred in Sikkim has made headlines ever since it reached netizens. Videos of rescue operations have surfaced in online media. The incident occurred yesterday around 12:15 noon. As per reports from Border Road Organization, the avalanche struck on the 14th mile of Jawaharlal Nehru Road, killing around 7 people. Several casualties have been reported which includes 80 people buried in snow and a dozen injured. Besides, several vehicles have also been buried under snow. 22 people have been rescued so far. The entire area is covered by people who have been stranded for hours together by now. Around 80 vehicles have also been rescued.
The road is such a vulnerable area and is also a significant tourist attraction. It connects Gangtok with the famous Nathula Pass and is situated on the border of India and China. Generally, it attracts tourists during the months of October and Feb-March. Consequently, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle occurring around the area at present. Check: Video Here
After the rescue of some people in Sikkim, the authorities responded promptly and provided them with quick medical assistance. The individuals were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, where they received the necessary care to help them recover. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of the rescued individuals, the officials took extra precautions and implemented comprehensive measures for their recovery, including medical attention and monitoring.
According to the latest media reports, the rescue operations have been temporarily halted, and the situation is currently under control. However, the authorities are maintaining a vigilant eye and are well-prepared to handle any unforeseen circumstances that may arise. The safety and security of the residents in the affected area are of utmost importance, and the officials are taking every necessary step to ensure their protection.
Geographical conditions around Sikkim
The occurrence of such natural disasters is nothing but a manifestation of atrocities meted out by human beings besides the existing rigid geopolitical terrains. A famous tourist spot with magnificent scenic beauty, it attracts a lot of tourists in peak times. Consequently, it is welcoming more engagement of people that might disrupt the ecological balance of the terrain. It has been already witnessed in the past how extreme human interventions cause havoc to the environment as well as the livelihood in general. The flash floods of Uttarakhand in 2012 are a sufficient reminder of the same.
The planet is already crumbling with the negative impacts of climate change for a long time. Besides, the occurrence of these events sustainable tourism takes a backseat. People often forget to be conscious to shield the environment while traveling. This surely takes a toll on the environment. As per reports from the Gangtok weather station, 50 mm of rainfall was recorded the previous day. Moreover, East Sikkim district is the ninth most vulnerable district to landslides in India. Also Check: India extends support to South Sudan-2023
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang was quoted saying that all the injured people from any state shall be treated in the state free of cost. Besides, several other political personalities have tweeted and extended their condolences to the people who have lost their near and dear ones or are seriously injured.
This condition calls for a deeper scrutiny of the geographical terrains in the area or how they are favorable to attract tourists and in what amount. This would further enable it to keep a check on the climate of the region, weather forecasts, and probable possibilities of disasters. The tourism industry thriving here ought to opt for more options to practice sustainability and shield their clients in every possible way to discover new ventures en route to this place.
