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 the Nathula Pass region, on Friday. This brought a sharp drop in temperatures across Sikkim, with several high-altitude locations experiencing sub-zero levels. Movement along key mountain routes was disrupted as a result.

Snowfall and Weather Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heavy to very heavy snowfall since early morning in Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake areas. A red alert has been issued for Sikkim, warning of severe weather conditions expected to continue over the next 24 hours.

According to the IMD, "heavy to very heavy snowfall was recorded in and around Nathula, Kupup, and Tsomgo (Changu) Lake since early morning."

Local Response and Safety Measures

Tourists and transport operators have been advised to avoid traveling to higher altitudes due to slippery roads from snow buildup.
Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams are actively clearing snow to maintain essential connectivity.
Residents are urged to take necessary precautions while disaster response teams remain on standby.

Officials noted that temperatures in the Nathula area may fall further overnight, marking one of the earliest and heaviest snowfalls of the season.

Funding for Biodiversity Management

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

The Ministry declared, "Rs 8.3 lakh has been released to BMCs in Uttar Pradesh and Sikkim under the Access and Benefit Sharing framework, as outlined in the Biological Diversity Act, 2002."

Author's Summary: Early and heavy snowfall in Sikkim has led to a red alert and travel disruptions, while biodiversity committees received targeted funding under environmental laws.

NDTV — 2025-10-31