KalimNews with inputs from IPR, Gangtok, June 2, 2025 : Efforts to evacuate over 1,350 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen in north Sikkim were put on hold today due to persistent heavy rainfall and extensive damage to roads and bridges. Officials confirmed that the adverse weather conditions, along with infrastructure damage, had rendered evacuation efforts impossible for the time being.
Superintendent of Police, Mangan District, Sonam Detchu Bhutia, explained that the ongoing efforts to evacuate tourists were severely hampered after continuous rainfall triggered landslides, with the most severe damage in the Shipgyer region of Upper Dzongu. “We are planning to resume evacuation from Lachung tomorrow if the weather permits,” Bhutia said. However, he indicated that it could take another two to three days to evacuate tourists from Lachen, as almost all connecting roads had been cut off and a key bridge had been washed away.
Currently, 1,236 domestic tourists and two foreign nationals remain stranded in Lachung, while 112 domestic tourists and four foreign nationals are stuck in Lachen. Despite the harsh conditions, authorities have assured that the tourists are safe and are being provided food and shelter at local hotels. Hoteliers have extended support, supplying food from their reserves, while the government has confirmed sufficient food grain stock to last for at least two months.
Meanwhile, the Phidang Bailey Bridge, which serves as a crucial link between Mangan and Chungthang, was partially damaged due to the swollen Teesta River. Repairs have been made, but vehicle movement is still restricted. Authorities are expected to conduct further inspections before allowing the passage of light vehicles.
In addition to the evacuation operations, search and rescue missions for eight missing tourists, who were swept away after their vehicle plunged into the Teesta River on May 29, are also ongoing. The vehicle accident, which involved 11 individuals, resulted in two survivors—Swayam Supratim Nayak and Sairaj Jena, both from Odisha—who are currently receiving treatment at STNM Hospital in Gangtok.
The remaining nine people from the vehicle, including four tourists from Odisha, two from Tripura, and two from Uttar Pradesh, along with the driver, are still missing. The identities of the missing passengers are as follows:
Ajit Kumar Nayak (Odisha)
Sunita Nayak (Odisha)
Sahil Jena (Odisha)
Itshiri Jena (Odisha)
Debjyoti Joy Dev (Tripura)
Swapnanil Deb (Tripura)
Kaushalendra Pratap Singh (Uttar Pradesh)
Ankita Singh (Uttar Pradesh)
Passang Denu Sherpa (Driver, Singhik, North Sikkim)
The search operation was initially launched with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), but rising water levels in the river have temporarily suspended the efforts. Despite this, some personal belongings, including mobile phones and identity cards, have been recovered from the site of the accident. “Although the vehicle has been located, it remains submerged due to the rising water level,” Bhutia added.
The authorities are hopeful that search operations will resume once weather conditions improve. However, the worsening situation has been compounded by landslides, bridge collapses, and the ongoing risk posed by rising river levels. The Teesta River has overflowed in some places, further exacerbating the situation.
Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely. With the monsoon season fast approaching, officials have warned tourists to exercise caution while traveling to remote areas and advised staying informed about weather and road conditions through official sources.
While rescue teams continue their efforts, the local administration is also working on alternative evacuation plans. Should the main roads remain blocked, tourists will be evacuated via the Toong Naga road through the Rel Khola Foot Bridge. The District Collector of North Sikkim has confirmed that, if necessary, this alternate route will be utilized to ensure the safe evacuation of stranded tourists.
In the meantime, ongoing disruptions to electricity, water supply, and mobile networks have been reported in areas like Chungthang, where recovery efforts are being hampered by the severe weather. Authorities are working to restore essential services and ensure that residents and tourists are safe.
With the weather conditions continuing to worsen, officials have reiterated the importance of staying updated with official travel advisories and cooperating with the ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts.
