Tourists stranded in North Sikkim after landslides
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides in north Sikkim’s Mangan district, stranding thousands of tourists in the Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung areas. Here’s the latest:
Evacuations: Over 1,100 tourists were rescued from Chungthang via a reconstructed Bailey bridge, with 222 vehicles evacuated. An additional 1,500–1,800 tourists stranded on roads were sheltered overnight in police stations, gurudwaras, and local homes before being moved to safer areas.
Remaining Stranded: Around 1,000 tourists are still stuck in Lachen and Lachung, where roads remain blocked due to mudslides. Authorities have advised them to stay in hotels, with adequate food and accommodation arranged.
Permit Cancellation: All tourist permits for north Sikkim were suspended, including pre-issued ones, with tour operators instructed to halt trips until further notice.
Leadership: The Chief Minister is directly supervising rescue operations, while the Governor confirmed all tourists’ safety.
Landslides struck key roads connecting Lachen-Chungthang and Lachung-Chungthang, isolating the hill stations. Lachen had only reopened in March 2025 after a prior glacial lake flood.
Continuous rainfall has hindered road-clearing efforts, with the region’s monsoon-prone geography exacerbating risks. Rescue teams are prioritizing restoring connectivity to evacuate remaining tourists.
