Sikkim Tourist Passes Suspended Due To Heavy Monsoon: All You Need to Know

North Sikkim faces communication blackout amid severe flooding and ongoing rescue operations. (Image: PTI)

The stunning highlands of North Sikkim are currently out of bounds for visitors after the state administration suspended all tourist permits on June 3, 2025. This move follows relentless monsoon rains that triggered severe landslides and flash floods across the region. According to a report by News18, popular tourist destinations such as Lachen and Lachung have been completely cut off due to multiple road closures and infrastructure damage.

The Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has urged all travelers to exercise caution and plan their trips based on the latest road and weather updates from official sources. With the onset of the monsoon, heavy rainfall is likely to cause landslides and road blockages, particularly on routes to remote destinations. The department emphasized that tourist safety remains a top priority, and assured that relief and evacuation support will be provided promptly in case of emergencies.

Efforts are currently underway to restore road connectivity and evacuate those stranded. The Chungthang–Phidang road in Mangan District has been reopened, and evacuation began on June 2, with over 1,600 tourists safely rescued from Lachung and Chungthang. These efforts are being led by the Sikkim Police, district administration, and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). However, rescue operations are still ongoing in Lachen, which remains inaccessible.

Stranded tourists being airlifted by a military helicopter, in landslide-hit North Sikkim (Image: PTI)

The situation turned dire when landslides hit the Chhorten Army Camp and surrounding areas, leaving over 1,600 tourists stranded in Lachen and nearby regions. The crisis deepened following a cloudburst in North Sikkim on May 31, which caused the Teesta River to rise by 35–40 feet, snapping regional connectivity.

Emergency response teams are on the ground, and airlift and alternate rescue routes are being explored, depending on weather conditions.

Sikkim is not alone in facing monsoon-related disasters. Heavy rains have impacted multiple northeastern states, including Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, and Nagaland, causing flash floods, landslides, and rockfalls.

Search operation underway for missing tourists, days after a vehicle carrying tourists plunged into the Teesta river, near Munshithang in North Sikkim district (Image: PTI)

In Mizoram, authorities have advised dignitaries and officials to postpone travel due to widespread infrastructure damage. In Assam, 11 people have died and over 5.15 lakh residents across 22 districts have been affected.

On June 3, Sikkim Governor Lakshman Prakash Mathur visited the Indreni Bridge in Singtam to assess risks to infrastructure. The Sikkim government has officially declared the damages in Mangan District as a “disaster” under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Rescue operation underway after a landslide hit a military camp at Chhaten in Sikkim. (Image: PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Manipur Governor Ajay Bhalla, assuring all necessary central assistance to deal with the crisis.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), widespread rainfall is forecast across the Northeast on June 5, with no significant relief expected in maximum temperatures. Travelers are strongly advised to postpone non-essential trips and stay updated through official weather alerts.