In a new spate of natural havoc, over 1,000 tourists are stuck in Sikkim's tourist towns of Lachen and Lachung as the region was affected by heavy landslides. The landslides, caused by relentless rains, have blocked major roads, disrupting transport and communication in the far-flung North Sikkim district.
According to reports, more than 1,500 individuals have already been rescued by the Indian Army and state disaster response forces in a coordinated large-scale operation. Rescue efforts are still ongoing to rescue those stranded in the upper Himalayan reaches.
Lachen and Lachung, which are also famous for their scenic beauty and proximity to popular sites such as Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley, are now off-limits following blocked highways and destroyed infrastructure. Heavy rains during the last three days have created unstable ground conditions and frequent mudslides, posing particular difficulties in relief operations.
The major Chungthang-Lachen and Chungthang-Lachung roads have been extensively damaged, with parts of roads swept away, officials said. Landslides have not only brought vehicular movement to a standstill but also affected power supply and mobile connectivity in the area.
Authorities have prioritised evacuating children, the elderly, and those in urgent need of medical attention. Helicopter sorties were deployed on Wednesday, weather permitting, to airlift the most vulnerable. Medical teams and essential supplies have also been dispatched to stranded locations.
Several tourists, including families and individual travelers from all over India, have turned to social media to post their situation and request urgent help. Footage from the area shows images of stranded cars, dirty roads, and tourists huddled in temporary shelters.
"Three days in now, and we're still stranded. The roads are totally jammed, and it's freezing by the day. We're just waiting for help to arrive any day now," a tourist from Maharashtra said.
The government of Sikkim, along with central agencies and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), intensified activities to clear the roads and restore road connectivity. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang ensured that all possible efforts are being made to ensure tourists and locals' safety.
“We are working round the clock to evacuate those still stranded. Our rescue teams are on-site, and we request the public to remain calm and follow official advisories,” Tamang stated in a press briefing.
The accident joins a growing list of weather-related disruptions in the Northeast, where unseasonal rains have set off floods and landslides across hill country. Environmentalists have been concerned about mounting climate vulnerability in sensitive mountain ecosystems such as Sikkim.
Officials have published a travel notice advising travellers to stay away from North Sikkim till the situation changes. All treks and high-altitude travel have been temporarily closed. The state tourism department is liaising with local homestays and hotels to harbour stuck tourists until access becomes safe once again.
