Falling boulders kill two brothers in Upper Dzongu; Nathu La shut by snow

Two brothers were killed and a woman was critically injured when boulders and trees came down on them near 4th Mile (S-Turning) in Upper Dzongu, in North Sikkim's Mangan district, on Friday morning.

The incident took place at about 11 am, according to local reports. The dead have been identified as Kalzang Lepcha and Lakpa Lepcha, sons of Ongyal Lepcha and residents of Seebim, 6th Mile, Tingvong, in Upper Dzongu. Lakpa's wife, Termit Lepcha, suffered grievous injuries and was taken to Mangan District Hospital, where her condition was reported to be critical.

The Mangan Superintendent of Police and other officers went to the spot, and police are looking into the circumstances. Separately, Mangan Police have announced curbs on heavy and medium goods vehicles on the Rang Rang-Mangan Bazaar route from November 1.

Falling rocks and unstable slopes remain a constant danger on Sikkim's mountain roads, particularly after spells of rain.

Nathu La closed to tourists

In East Sikkim, authorities have stopped tourist vehicles from going up to the Nathu La pass after heavy snowfall from Wednesday night into Thursday morning left a thick layer of snow on the route. Tsomgo Lake and the Baba Mandir remain open to visitors. The snow has brought a sharp drop in temperatures across the higher reaches of East Sikkim.

NH-10 night restrictions

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has also restricted traffic on NH-10 between Rangpo and Ranipool from October 29 to November 4, every night from 9 pm to 5 am, for emergency road works. Light vehicles are being diverted through Duga-Pendam-Singtam and Mamring-Namthang-Singtam-Gangtok, and all vehicles can use the Rangpo-Rorathang-Pakyong-Gangtok route.

Travellers heading to Sikkim this week should check road status with the district administration and police before setting out.