Around 1,000 tourists from West Bengal have been stranded in North Sikkim's Lachen after a landslide damaged a key road near Tarum Chu Bridge. The disruption has forced authorities to suspend all movement along the Chungthang–Lachen route.
The situation has affected travel plans in the region, particularly for those heading towards Lachen, a popular stop for visitors exploring North Sikkim.
Administration suspends route, issues advisory
According to officials, the closure was ordered after a breach in road formation made the stretch unsafe for movement. Anant Jain, district collector-cum-magistrate of Mangan, issued a public advisory confirming that the Lachen axis has been temporarily shut, reported The Times of India.
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Tourists have been advised to stay indoors and avoid venturing out due to adverse weather conditions. Authorities have assured that arrangements are being made to ensure their safety during the disruption.
Evacuation plan and rescue efforts
Officials said evacuation is being planned, depending on weather conditions. "The evacuation of stranded tourists is planned for Monday morning, subject to improvement in weather conditions and clearance of snow along the Dongkya La axis," the administration was quoted as saying by TOI.
A multi-agency effort is currently underway to manage the situation. Teams from the district administration, police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Indian Army are involved in the rescue and restoration operations.
Authorities said work is being carried out on a war footing to restore connectivity along the Lachen–Dongkya La-Lachung–Gangtok route.
Partial relief for travellers
While access to Lachen remains restricted, the Lachung-Yumthang Valley-Zero Point circuit is still operational. Travel itineraries in that region continue without disruption, offering some relief to tourists and tour operators.
Officials have urged people to remain calm and follow instructions issued by local authorities. The exact timing of evacuation will depend on real-time assessments of weather and road conditions.
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Emergency helpline numbers: 9907956705 and 03592281007 have been issued for those in need of assistance.
