New Delhi: Darjeeling has been one of the most attractive tourist spots in West Bengal. Located in the Himalayan foothills, Darjeeling gets covered with a thick blanket of snow every winter season. This year leaves no exception as Darjeeling and its neighbouring state Sikkim received the first snowfall of the season.
Steady snowfall was witnessed from 6:30 AM to around 1:00 PM in areas like Jorebunglow, GHUM, and Batasia. The snowfall attracted a lot of tourists and people were seen enjoying a lovely time while riding on Darjeeling’s iconic railway amidst the snow-covered tracks.
Tourist enjoying the snowfall at GHUM, the highest railway station in India of the World Heritage Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. NFR is running many tourist trains including Vista dome services in #DHR for the benefit of tourist @RailMinIndia pic.twitter.com/xtWZg2SAJ6
— Northeast Frontier Railway (@RailNf) December 29, 2021
Another footage from Darjeeling shows toy trains and tracks covered in snow. Tourists can be seen enjoying multi-layered clothing having the best moments in their life.
Snowfall at Ghoom, Darjeeling pic.twitter.com/DhPdlw2xKT
— I Love Siliguri (@ILoveSiliguri) December 29, 2021
However, the snow was not as fun much to the tourists as compared to others. Heavy snowfall disrupted electricity and mobile connections. People were stranded at Sikkim’s Changu Lake and rescue operations were called. The army rescued over 1,000 tourists from the Indo-China border in eastern Sikkim on Sunday.
“The weather was warm in Lachung till Tuesday evening. The weather changed suddenly and [the temperature] dipped below zero [degrees Celsius], resulting in massive snowfall since the early hours of Wednesday. This would surely attract more tourists,” said Bikash Tamang, a driver who ferries tourists.
Besides, the road leading to tourist destinations such as Nathu La, Gurudongmar, Yumthang, and Tsomgo lake was covered in snow and was risky for driving.
Also in the highest point of West Bengal, Sandakphu, the temperature fell below zero degrees Celsius. “Places such as Tiger Hill, one of the most popular places in Darjeeling to watch the sunrise and Mt Kancendzonga, receive snowfall. But Wednesday’s snowfall was massive. The entire Tiger Hill has come under a blanket of snow,” said Thupden Lama, a resident of Ghoom Jorebunglow.
