Heavy snowfall renders north Sikkim village inaccessible

GANGTOK : The sub-divisional magistrate of Chungthang in north Sikkim has reported that Muguthang village under Lachen Dzumsa has been rendered inaccessible due to heavy snowfall over the week. The 13th Battalion of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police posted in the area, along with the offices of the SDM and North District Collector immediately arranged for supplies of essential food stuff such as rice, dal, salt, mustard oil and kerosene and medicines. The items will be air-dropped by helicopter. Two Cheetah helicopters of the Air Force on Friday evacuated four ailing residents and delivered about 10 quintals of food stuff to some 15 remaining residents of the village. The four evacuated included three women and a man and they were given necessary medical treatment at Chaten. They were brought to Gangtok later in the afternoon.