1,000 Tourists Stranded in Sikkim’s Lachen, Lachung After Landslides
Heavy rainfall in Sikkim since Thursday has caused landslides that have trapped over 1,000 tourists in Lachen and Lachung, two high-altitude towns in the state’s north. The landslides, which struck multiple areas on roads connecting Chungthang to these tourist spots, have led to extensive damage to the infrastructure, disrupting the travel of several visitors.
Successful Rescue Operations for 1,500 Tourists
Mangan’s Superintendent of Police, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, confirmed the number of stranded tourists, while also updating on the successful rescue operations for 1,500 other tourists. These travelers, whose vehicles were stuck along the roads, were temporarily sheltered in various local facilities, including a police station, a gurudwara, and an Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp, as well as with local villagers. The rescued group was safely escorted to Gangtok on Friday morning.
Disruption of Travel in Lachen and Lachung
Landslides occurred particularly in the areas near Munshithang, en route to Lachen from Chungthang, and at Lima on the Lachung–Chungthang road. Due to these events, the district administration has canceled all travel permits for north Sikkim, including those issued in advance for Friday, and advised tour operators to suspend any trips to the region until the situation stabilizes.
A district official shared that while many tourists were caught in Lachen and Lachung during the rains on Thursday, the immediate focus remains on their safe evacuation. Tour operators have been urged to comply with these directives to avoid putting more travelers at risk. The area had previously suffered significant damage from a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in October 2023, leading to a prolonged disconnection from the rest of the state.
Ongoing Efforts to Ensure Tourist Safety
For now, the situation remains critical as the authorities continue to monitor road conditions and work toward reopening access to the affected areas. “They were taken out on Friday morning and have already left for Gangtok,” Bhutia added.
This ongoing disruption highlights the fragile infrastructure in Sikkim’s high-altitude regions and the pressing need for effective disaster preparedness strategies to prevent future travel chaos.
