Higher reaches of East District of Sikkim received heavy snowfall on Friday afternoon.
Heavy snowfall has occurred in Nathula, Tsomgo, Ganesh Tok, Tashi View Point and adjoining areas this afternoon and Gangtok and its surrounding areas have received hailstones along with thunderstorms.
Following the same, the temperature has dipped.
Due to heavy snowfall in higher reaches of East Sikkim, more than 400 tourist vehicles coming back to Gangtok from Tsomgo and Baba Mandir and have been evacuated by joint efforts of Army, check post police and GREF.
The operation of snow removal continued in the night and it is expected that all tourists will come down to Gangtok by morning. Army has also made adequate stay arrangements for all tourists in 14th Mile and other areas.
Likewise, heavy snowfalls have also occurred in higher places of North Sikkim, Ravangla in South Sikkim and other parts of the State.