Northeast Desk, 14th June: Over 200 tourist vehicles and numerous tourists are stranded in North Sikkim due to relentless rainfall leading to multiple roadblocks. Thupden Lachungpa, President of the Lachung Dzumsa Hotel Association, reported that extensive landslides have made road rescue efforts impossible.
Locals are demanding airlift assistance, but the heavy rain is hampering these efforts. Authorities in North Sikkim have also issued warnings for people residing near the Teesta River, which is flowing at a dangerously high volume.
Manoj Chettri, Deputy Director/North Incharge from the Tourism Department, stated that his team will provide updates on the evacuation process as it progresses.
The situation is particularly dire in Mangan district, where at least six people have been killed and approximately 1,500 tourists are stranded due to massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall. Officials reported on Thursday that the newly constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang has collapsed, severing the crucial link between Mangan and the towns of Dzongu and Chungthang.
The landslides have blocked stretches of roads, inundated or damaged several houses, and swept away electricity poles. Popular tourist towns such as Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung, known for attractions like Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley, are now isolated from the rest of the country.
“Three persons each died in Pakshep and Ambhithang villages,” confirmed Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri. A number of houses were also damaged in Geythang and Nampathang. A relief camp has been set up at Pakshep to accommodate displaced individuals.
In response to the crisis, the district magistrate held a meeting with officials to assess the situation and instructed them to initiate rescue and relief operations urgently.
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