130 tourists, border traders evacuated after landslide in Sikkim

GANGTOK: At least 130 tourists and border traders have been evacuated by the Army after they were stranded following a landslide on Changu-Nathula road in Sikkim.

The tourists and the border traders, who were returning in 25 vehicles, were stranded on the stretch between 17 Mile and 15 Mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, the road connecting Changu to Nathula, since yesterday afternoon following the landslide, BRO sources said.

The stranded people were evacuated by Army personnel and put up in transit camps yesterday from where they were sent to Gangtok today, the sources said.

Heavy rainfall was hampering the clearing operation and keeping the landslide "dangerously active", the sources said.