1,000 tourists stranded in North Sikkim as landslides block key roads amid heavy rain

A massive landslide triggered by continuous heavy rainfall in northern Sikkim has stranded approximately 1,000 tourists. The landslides have occurred on critical roads, including the Lachen Chungthang and Lachung Chungthang routes, disrupting vehicular movement and blocking access to popular hill stations like Lachung and Lachen. Local authorities confirmed that the situation was further exacerbated by ongoing rain, making it impossible for road crews to clear the debris quickly.

According to officials, around 200 tourist vehicles are stuck at Chungthang, which is situated nearly 100 km from Gangtok, the state capital. Tourists have been accommodated at a local Gurudwara as they wait for conditions to improve. The landslides, which occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen–Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung–Chungthang road, have caused widespread disruptions in the region.

The Mangan district Superintendent of Police, Sonam Dechu Bhutia, stated that although the road to Chungthang is open during the day, it remains inaccessible at night due to persistent rainfall. As a precautionary measure, the Sikkim Police’s Permit Cell has canceled all previously issued permits for travel to northern Sikkim on April 25. Additionally, no new permits will be issued until further notice, effectively halting tourist movement to the region.

In response to the crisis, local authorities have instructed all tour operators to cease sending tourists to North Sikkim for the time being. Travel disruptions are expected to persist until the weather improves and the roads are cleared of debris. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and coordinating efforts to restore access to affected areas as soon as possible.

The continuous downpour and subsequent landslides have made the region’s access roads highly unstable, particularly those leading to popular tourist destinations like Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley. With road conditions deteriorating, tourists and residents alike have been urged to remain indoors and follow safety protocols. The authorities are working on alternative routes, but it remains uncertain when normal travel will resume.