Massive landslides hit north Sikkim roads: 1,000 tourists stranded, all travel permits cancelled

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Around 1,000 tourists were stranded in picturesque North Sikkim on Thursday after massive landslides triggered by incessant rain hit Munshithang on the Lachen Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung Chungthang road.

Permits for North Sikkim will not be issued on Friday, and all advanced permits issued have been deemed cancelled, as the heavy rain has made it unsafe for night time travel.

Sonam Dechu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, Mangan district, North Sikkim, was quoted by ANI: "A massive landslide has occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung Chungthang road. Further, it has been raining continuously in North Sikkim. The road to Chungthang is open, but due to heavy rain, it cannot be accessed at night. Hence, permits for North Sikkim will not be issued tomorrow, and all the advanced permits issued are deemed cancelled," said Bhutia.

Police officials have also confirmed that approximately 1,000 tourists have been left stranded in the affected areas as a result of the landslides. Around 200 tourist vehicles were stranded at Chungthang and the occupants are staying in a Gurudwara there, they said. Chungthang is nearly 100 km from the state capital Gangtok.

The landslides have affected critical routes connecting tourist destinations like Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang in North Sikkim, areas popular among visitors during the spring and summer seasons. Authorities have cautioned tourists and residents against attempting to travel on these routes due to the high risk of further landslides and road collapse.