Gangtok, Feb. 24 -- Heavy snowfall in the upper reaches of Sherathang and around Tsomgo Lake caused major disruption on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of tourist vehicles stranded along the stretch between 15th Mile and Tsomgo.

The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim, reported that 541 tourist vehicles carrying nearly 2,736 visitors were stuck due to snow accumulation and road blockages in the high-altitude region.

Authorities immediately launched a large-scale rescue and evacuation operation. The effort involved Sikkim Police, Check Post officials, Tourism Permit Cell representatives, ASTHA members, Border Roads Organisation (BRO/GREF) personnel, the JN Road Drivers Association, travel agencies, and other local stake...