Heavy rain triggers landslides in Sikkim, leaving thousands of tourists stranded

New Delhi : Incessant rainfall in Sikkim has caused severe landslides and road closures, leaving over 2,000 domestic and foreign tourists stranded in North Sikkim. The heavy downpour since Thursday led to flash floods and landslides, resulting in a road blockade that cut off road connectivity to popular tourist destinations such as Lachung, Lachen, and Yumthang valley.

According to official reports, 1,975 domestic tourists and 36 foreign tourists, including individuals from Bangladesh, the United States, and Singapore, were stranded in hotels located in Lachen and Lachung. Additionally, 345 four-wheelers and 11 motorbikes were stuck at various points in North Sikkim due to the road closures.

The landslides and flooding have disrupted traffic along several important routes, including the North Sikkim highway, JN Marg, Gangtok-Mangan road, Mangan-Singtam road, Singtam-Geyzing road, and Pakyong-Rolep road. Moreover, landslides have also affected the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, a vital road connecting popular attractions such as Tsomgo (Chhangu) Lake, Nathu-la, and Baba Mandir with Gangtok.

Tragically, the state has reported its first casualty as a 90-year-old man lost his life after being swept away by the turbulent waters of the Rimbi river in West Sikkim. The adverse weather conditions have posed significant challenges for the authorities as they strive to ensure the safety and well-being of both local residents and stranded tourists.

Efforts are underway to restore road connectivity and rescue the stranded individuals, but the continuous rainfall has hampered progress. The local administration, in coordination with emergency response teams, is actively engaged in relief operations to provide aid to those affected by the landslides and heavy rains in Sikkim.