Heavy Snowfall Along Indo-China Border, Red Alert Issued For Sikkim

Heavy Snowfall Along Indo-China Border

Fresh snowfall covered the higher areas of the Indo-China border, including Nathula Pass, on Friday, causing temperatures to fall sharply across Sikkim. Several high-altitude regions experienced sub-zero temperatures, affecting movement on key mountain routes.

Weather Conditions and Alerts

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heavy to very heavy snowfall around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake from early morning. A red alert has been issued for Sikkim, forecasting severe weather for the next 24 hours.

Local authorities have advised tourists and transport operators to avoid travel to higher elevations due to slippery roads from accumulated snow.

Response and Precautions

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is actively clearing snow to maintain essential connectivity.
Residents have been urged to take necessary precautions.
The state government has placed disaster response teams on standby.

“Temperatures in the Nathula region could drop further overnight, marking one of the season's earliest and heaviest snowfalls,” officials stated.

Additional Environmental Support

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) announced the release of Rs 8.3 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim. This funding is part of the Access and Benefit Sharing framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, according to the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

Author’s summary: Heavy snowfall at the Indo-China border has led to a red alert in Sikkim, disrupting travel and prompting emergency responses, while biodiversity funding supports regional environmental efforts.

NDTV — 2025-10-31