Gangtok: A massive evacuation drive in North Sikkim has successfully brought nearly 1,500 tourists to safety, who were left stranded after torrential monsoon rains triggered landslides and bridge collapses, severing critical road links.
While all visitors from Lachung were swiftly evacuated, air rescue operations in Lachen faced initial weather hurdles but are now progressing steadily, with military helicopters ferrying hundreds to the Greenfield Airport in Pakyong. Authorities anticipate the complete evacuation of remaining tourists by Thursday’s end.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang addressed the state’s tourism outlook, confirming that while the Lachen and Lachung sectors are temporarily closed, the majority of Sikkim remains secure and open for visitors. He robustly countered recent misinformation, clarifying that the infrastructure damage, including bridge collapses, was a direct result of this year’s intense monsoon downpour, not a lingering effect of the 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).
The Chief Minister reiterated the state’s commitment to rebuilding and reinforcing vulnerable infrastructure with central government aid, urging travellers to continue with their plans to explore the unaffected parts of the “Switzerland of the East.”
Read More: Student Body Vows ‘Clean Illegal Immigrants Drive-Out Mission’ in Tripura