Gangtok,

Areas above 5,500ft in Sikkim also enjoyed moderate to heavy snowfall yesterday. Heavy snowfall was reported from areas like Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim and Chhangu Lake-Nathu-la border in East Sikkim.

Twenty vehicles carrying tourists bound for Chhangu Lake could not go beyond 7th Mile, 20km from Darjeeling, because of the snow-covered road.

Tourists and residents, however, enjoyed the snow at Tashi View Point and Ganesh Tok here. The 4km road connecting the two tourist spots and the thick vegetation were covered with snow this morning.

Gangtok Met officials said the day’s maximum temperature in the state capital yesterday was 10.4 degrees Celsius at 11am and the minimum was 2.4 degrees Celsius at 5.30pm. The night temperature was around 1.6 degrees.

Tour operators said Yumthang Valley was also inaccessible to tourists because of deposit of snow right from Chungthang town.

Authorities have stopped giving permits for travel to these areas till the snow melts or is cleared.