Severe Landslides Disrupt North Sikkim: Hundreds of Tourists Stranded Amid Road Closures

Local police have urged tourists and hoteliers to remain at their places of stay until the roads are cleared and conditions stabilise.

Around 600 tourists and 100 vehicles are currently stranded in Lachen, while Lachung hosts approximately 800 tourists and 150 vehicles, following severe landslides in North Sikkim. With mobile networks down in both locations, communication has become a major challenge. Local police have urged tourists and hoteliers to remain at their places of stay until the roads are cleared and conditions stabilise.

Repair and rescue operations are underway, with the district administration and police personnel working tirelessly to ensure the safety of tourists and restore road access. Authorities have indicated that road repairs will take several days. Meanwhile, tourists who had sought refuge in Chungthang, including those sheltered at a local Gurudwara, have now returned safely to Gangtok.

The region has experienced continuous heavy rainfall over recent days, triggering multiple landslides that have severely damaged the road network. Major blockages were reported on Thursday from Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. These landslides have effectively cut off access to the popular tourist destinations of Lachen and Lachung.

In light of the situation, the district administration has suspended all travel permits for April 25. Tour operators have been instructed not to send any tourists to the affected regions, and the Tourism Department has advised travellers to postpone or reroute their plans to safer areas within Sikkim. Hotels, tour guides, and local businesses have also been alerted to handle cancellations and assist stranded guests.

Despite the hazardous conditions, police have managed to evacuate many tourists trapped by the mudslides. However, multiple stretches along the Chungthang-Lachung and Chungthang-Lachen roads remain impassable.

The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to issue updates through official channels. Travellers are strongly urged to rely only on verified sources for the latest information on road conditions and safety advisories.

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