Kathmandu :At least seven people, including three Nepalis, died in an avalanche that occurred on the Gangtok-Nathu La JNM Road in northern Sikkim on Tuesday.

The Indian Express reported that the avalanche struck the 14th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Road connecting Gangtok to Nathu La pass at approximately 12:15 pm.
According to a statement issued by Tushar G Nikhare, the District Collector in Gangtok, the three Nepalis who succumbed to injuries following the natural disaster were–Shiva Prasad Lamichhane and Ashika Dhakal, 22, of Chitwan and Muna Shah Shrestha, 29, of Rupandehi.

As per the statement, arrangements are being made by the Sikkim government to transport the bodies and hand them over to concerned authorities.

The natural disaster has also left 13 people, all Indian nationals, injured. The injured are receiving treatment at STNM Hospital in Gangtok.

As per the Voice of Sikkim report, nine persons among the injured were discharged following treatment.

The search and rescue operation carried out by the Indian Army including the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of the Sikkim Police, was halted in the evening due to inclement weather and will resume from Wednesday morning, as per the statement.