Landslide Havoc in North Sikkim: Over 1,600 Tourists Rescued, 6 Missing
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Severe weather conditions have gripped North Sikkim due to continuous heavy rainfall, causing widespread landslides and significant disruption of normal life. A total of 1,678 tourists stranded in Lachung and Chungthang have been safely rescued through an ongoing rescue operation, although over 100 people still remain trapped in Lachung.
In a tragic incident, a landslide hit a military camp in the Chatten area of Mangan district on Monday, resulting in the death of three army personnel, while six others are missing. The deceased have been identified as Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and porter Abhishek Lakhra. Army, NDRF, and police teams are engaged in ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Roads Blocked, Bridges Destroyed
DGP Akshay Sachdeva stated that some tourists have been moved to Gangtok, while efforts are underway to rescue those stranded in Lachen. Due to relentless rains, roads have cracked and become inaccessible in several areas of Mangan district. Two key bridges in Lachen have been completely washed away, cutting off road access to both Lachen and Lachung.
BRO, Army Working to Restore Road Access
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has begun restoration work on damaged roadways to ensure the movement of rescue teams and relief supplies. According to an official, many of the rescued tourists — including 561 women, 380 children, and several men — were transported in convoys to Phodong.
130+ mm Rainfall, Teesta River Swells
The Northeast region has been witnessing heavy rainfall for the past four days. Over 130 mm of rain has been recorded in North Sikkim alone. Key tourist destinations such as Lachung, Gurudongmar, Lachen, and the Valley of Flowers have been severely affected. The Teesta River is flowing at a dangerously high level, creating a flood-like situation in nearby areas.