Gangtok: Continuous heavy rainfall has triggered multiple landslides across North Sikkim, leaving more than 1,000 tourists stranded in various locations. According to police sources, around 200 tourist vehicles are currently stuck near Chungthang Gurudwara and the ITBP camp. Additionally, approximately 1,000 tourists remain stranded in Lachung.
Landslides have been reported at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road, a route previously impacted by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), as well as in Lema and Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. While the road to Chungthang remains open, persistent heavy rains are severely affecting accessibility, especially during nighttime hours, as per Mangan District Superintendent of Police Sonam Dechu Bhutia.
The unrelenting downpour has resulted in flood-like conditions in several areas of North Sikkim, severely disrupting road connectivity and compromising travel safety.
In response to the ongoing weather and road conditions, authorities have cancelled all travel permits for North Sikkim for today. All previously issued advanced permits have also been declared invalid.
Tour operators have been strictly instructed not to send any tourists to the region until further notice, prioritizing the safety of travelers.
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