Northeast Desk, 18th June: In a dramatic rescue effort, more than 200 tourists have been evacuated from the landslide-hit Mangan district in Sikkim, while approximately 1,000 remain stranded, according to Superintendent of Police Sonam Detchu Bhutia. The tourists were moved from Lachung via Chungthang to Mangan town, where the Transport Department arranged vehicles to transport them to Gangtok.
On Tuesday, 150 tourists were successfully evacuated, adding to the 64 who were rescued on Monday. The coordinated effort, involving district administration officials, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local volunteers, continues to bring tourists to safety. So far, 15 tourists have been evacuated on the second day of the operation.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the Mangan district administration has ordered the immediate closure of all government schools due to safety concerns arising from property damage and road blockages. District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri issued the order, stating that schools in Manul, Singhik, Mangan, and Mangshilla clusters of Mangan block, as well as Lingdong, Hee Gyathang, Passingdong, Lingzya, Tingvong, and Gor clusters of Dzongu block, will remain closed until further notice.
The decision comes after continuous heavy rainfall on the night of June 12-13 caused severe damage and multiple landslides, disrupting connectivity and posing significant risks to students and residents in the region. The evacuation efforts are expected to continue as authorities work to ensure the safety of all those affected by the natural disaster.
Read More: Sikkim: Mangan District Closes All Government Schools Due to Safety Concerns Amid Heavy Rainfall