North Sikkim is reeling under a severe humanitarian crisis as incessant rainfall has triggered widespread landslides, leading to the entrapment of over 200 tourist vehicles and numerous tourists across the region. Thupden Lachungpa, President of the Lachung Dzumsa Hotel Association, has highlighted that extensive landslides have rendered road rescue operations virtually impossible, exacerbating the stranded tourists’ plight.
Local authorities have been inundated with pleas for airlift assistance, but adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, continue to impede these efforts. Furthermore, authorities have issued urgent warnings to residents living near the Teesta River, which is currently flowing dangerously high, posing a significant risk of flooding.
Manoj Chettri, Deputy Director/North Incharge from the Tourism Department, assured the public that his team is actively monitoring the situation and will provide timely updates on the evacuation efforts as they unfold.
The situation is particularly dire in Mangan district, where the devastating landslides have claimed at least six lives and left approximately 1,500 tourists stranded. The collapse of the newly constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang has severed vital road connections between Mangan and neighboring towns like Dzongu and Chungthang, compounding the isolation of these areas.
Reports indicate that the landslides have not only blocked several road stretches but also caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, including the sweeping away of electricity poles. The popular tourist destinations of Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung, renowned for their natural beauty and attractions such as Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley, are now cut off from the rest of the country, adding to the urgency of rescue operations.
Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri confirmed the tragic loss of lives, stating, “Three persons each died in Pakshep and Ambhithang villages,” while noting significant property damage in Geythang and Nampathang. In response, relief efforts have been mobilized, including the establishment of a relief camp at Pakshep to accommodate displaced individuals and provide essential support.
In light of the escalating crisis, the district magistrate convened an emergency meeting with officials to assess the extent of the damage and coordinate prompt rescue and relief operations. Immediate directives have been issued to prioritize the safety and welfare of those affected, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive support in mitigating the ongoing disaster in North Sikkim.