Unseasonal early snowfall across the upper elevations of Sikkim has disrupted vehicular movement along key mountain highways, including the Gangtok-Nathu La route. The season's first significant snowfall was recorded on September 24, 2026, in high-altitude areas such as Muguthang, Kala Patthar, and Zero Point in North Sikkim. Subsequent weather events on September 27, 2026, brought fresh snowfall to the Nathula Pass in East Sikkim, followed by heavy accumulation reported around September 29, 2026, which impacted major transport arteries.
Border Roads Organisation personnel, operating under Project Swastik, have been deployed to conduct snow clearance operations using heavy machinery to maintain connectivity on strategic roads. While the Jawaharlal Nehru Road leading to Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir remained open as of October 1, 2026, traffic restrictions have been implemented on the 20th Mile route. In North Sikkim, local administration reported that Lachen was closed to traffic on October 1, while Lachung and Dzongu remained accessible.
Tourism authorities, alongside local administration, issued travel advisories following the late September weather events, urging caution due to risks of ice patches and unstable terrain. Travel operators have been actively monitoring the situation to guide tourists. While high-altitude passes remain subject to strict permit availability and weather-dependent access, local homestay operators reported that tourists in the lower valleys have welcomed the early autumn snow phenomenon.
