Multiple landslides have been recorded in the region, which has also been getting continuous heavy rainfall, while police officials confirmed that around 1,000 tourists have been left stranded in North Sikkim. For now, the Himalayan state based along the border of Nepal is badly disconnected due to the natural disaster and is battling with safety concerns.
Nearly 200 tourist vehicles are stuck in Chungthang, a crucial junction about 100 km from the state capital Gangtok, as per reports. Officials also said that stranded tourists are being sheltered in a local Gurudwara.
Landslides were reported at Munshithang on the Lachen–Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung–Chungthang route, which are the vital roads leading to popular destinations in the region, SKB informed. Rescue and relief operations are becoming more difficult due to the persistent rain, which has further worsened the situation.
Considering the ongoing crisis, the district administration has ordered all the tour operators to stop sending any tourists to North Sikkim, till Friday, even as it stays in touch with the Centre and state. All permits issued for tourist visits to the region on 25 April have been cancelled.
These have been severely damaged as access roads to both Lachung and Lachen, two of the state’s most visited hill stations. These are towns through which thousands of tourists visit Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley every year.
Authorities have been closely watching the situation and coordinating with local bodies for the sake of tourists and residents. When the weather improves, evacuation and road restoration efforts will begin. Tourists around the globe have been advised to stay indoors and follow official advice until the situation stabilises.
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