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Sikkim Landslides: 1,000 Tourists Stranded in Lachen and Lachung, 1,500 Rescued

April 25, 2025, 8:12 pm

At least 1,000 tourists in Lachen and Lachung, two mountain hill stations in north Sikkim, still remain stranded by landslips in the area since Thursday, a senior police officer of the district said on Friday.

Rescue Operations for Stranded Tourists in Sikkim

Mangan SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia stated that nearly 1,500 more tourists, whose cars were stuck on the road as a result of the landslides, were taken in by neighboring villages on Thursday night, and were rescued on Friday. They overnighted at locations like the police station, gurudwara, Indo-Tibetan Border Police camp and in a few instances, were welcomed by local villagers.

“They were taken out on Friday morning and have already left for Gangtok,” Bhutia told.

The district police chief informed that landslides caused by incessant rain since Thursday afternoon have damaged roads at several locations near Munshithang on the route to Lachen from Chungthang and near Lima on the route to Lachung from Chungthang.

Tourists Remain Stranded in Lachen and Lachung

A district official stated that tourists, who were in Lachen and Lachung when heavy rains began on Thursday, remain in the hill stations.

The official further stated that all the travel permits for north Sikkim for Friday have been cancelled, including those already issued in advance because of the road condition. The district administration has instructed tour operators not to take tourists to north Sikkim under any circumstances until the situation improves.

Major Landslides Reported in Sikkim

As per an official communication received on Thursday evening, extensive landslides have been reported on Munshithang on the Lachen–Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung–Chungthang road.

Lachen was one of the destinations in Sikkim worst affected by the October 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood. It was isolated for nearly one and half years. It was opened to tourists this year from March.

Army Engineers Rapidly Build 70-Feet Bailey Bridge In Flood-Ravaged Sikkim In Just 72 Hours

June 27, 2024, 10:41 pm

Engineers from the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps swiftly erected a 70-feet Bailey Bridge on the Dikchu-Sanklang road near Gangtok, Sikkim. This rapid construction effort aimed to restore crucial connectivity severed by recent floods in the region, facilitating access to vital areas isolated due to the natural disaster.

Initiated on June 23 with support from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local authorities, the construction of the Bailey Bridge at Dett Khola faced daunting challenges including heavy rains and technical complexities. Despite these obstacles, the Army engineers completed the bridge within an impressive 72-hour timeframe. The newly constructed bridge serves as a pivotal link from Dikchu to Sanklang, crucial for transporting essential supplies and medical aid to the affected communities in Mangan district.

Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, State Forest Minister and Secretary of Disaster Management, visited the site on June 27 to witness the bridge’s completion firsthand and commend the Indian Army’s swift response in restoring critical infrastructure amidst the ongoing crisis.

In addition to the Bailey Bridge, on the same day, engineers from the Trishakti Corps also successfully constructed a 150-foot suspension bridge in North Sikkim. This secondary effort effectively reconnected remote border villages that had been isolated by landslides and road breaches caused by the incessant monsoon rains since June 11.

The proactive measures by the Indian Army underscore their commitment to aiding local communities during times of natural calamities, ensuring swift restoration of essential services and connectivity in affected regions.

Indian Army Engineers Construct Bailey Bridge In Sikkim In 72 Hours To Restore Flood-Hit Connectivity

June 27, 2024, 8:20 pm

Indian Army engineers swiftly erected a 70-feet bailey bridge on the Dikchu-Sanklang road in Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital, within 72 hours to reestablish connectivity disrupted by recent floods in the state.

The PRO Defence acknowledged the efforts of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local authorities in restoring connectivity and returning normalcy to the flood-affected regions. The newly constructed bridge at Dett Khola on the Dikchu-Sanklang road is crucial for facilitating vehicular movement from Dikchu to Sanklang towards Chungthang, aiding in delivering essential supplies, including critical healthcare to the affected residents of Mangan.

Sikkim’s Minister of Forest and Environment, Pintso Namgyal Lepcha, visited the site on June 27 and commended the Indian Army for their swift completion of the bridge. Heavy rains in North Sikkim triggered landslides and breaches, impacting road connectivity on routes like Dikchu-Sanklang-Toong, Mangan-Sanklang, Singtham-Rangrang, and Rangrang-Toong since June 11.

Earlier on June 23, the Indian Army engineers from Trishakti Corps had also erected a 150-foot suspension bridge to restore connectivity in border villages of North Sikkim. Indian Army Engineers Construct Bailey Bridge in Sikkim in 72 Hours to Restore Flood-Hit Connectivity

Over 1,200 Tourists Stuck in Sikkim to Be Airlifted

June 16, 2024, 1:10 pm

Over 1,200 tourists stranded in Sikkim’s Mangan district due to disruption in the road and communication network will be airlifted on Sunday, weather permitting, according to an official statement by the state government. Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia will coordinate the evacuation efforts, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

“The evacuation of tourists from Lachung would begin through airlift and roadways, depending on weather conditions,” the statement said.

According to Tourism and Civil Aviation Secretary C. S. Rao, around 1,215 tourists, including 15 foreigners, have been stranded in Lachung town for the past week, as incessant rains wreaked havoc on the road and communication network in Mangan district.

At least six people have been killed during this period due to landslides and heavy rain, which have also damaged properties and disrupted power and food supplies, as well as mobile networks, in several areas, officials said. The district administration has disbursed compensation of ₹4 lakh to the affected families.

Sikkim Floods: Stranded Tourists Evacuated By Sunday Amid Heavy Rainfall Chaos

June 15, 2024, 1:23 pm

About 2,000 tourists stranded in north Sikkim’s Lachung and Chungthang due to heavy rainfall-triggered landslides and floods will be evacuated by Sunday, according to a senior official. The inclement weather has caused extensive damage in Mangan district, claiming six lives and disrupting road connectivity, power, food, and mobile networks. Of the stranded tourists, approximately 1,200 are domestic, with others hailing from Bangladesh, Nepal, and Thailand.

Sikkim’s chief secretary, Vijay Bhushan Pathak, stated, “There is no major destruction in Lachung, Lachen, and Chungthang. We have sent a requisition for the air force and helicopter. Once the weather improves, we will evacuate the tourists.” The state’s principal secretary of tourism and civil aviation, C S Rao, assured that the stranded tourists, including foreigners, were safe with access to food and water. If required, they will be evacuated by road.

Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri expressed hope that the tourists would be evacuated by Sunday, contingent on weather conditions. A relief camp has been set up at Pakshep, and while electricity has been restored, mobile networks remain down. The Met office has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, and northeast India over the next 4-5 days.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a high-level meeting to assess the situation, urging stranded tourists to remain in their current locations and avoid unnecessary risks. Landslides have blocked roads, houses have been inundated or damaged, and electricity poles swept away due to the heavy rain. The chief minister’s meeting was aimed at strategizing and coordinating the response to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of residents.

Sikkim: Nine Killed, 1,200 Tourists Stranded In Sikkim Landslides Over Three Days

June 14, 2024, 10:25 pm

Nine fatalities have occurred over the past three days in Sikkim due to two landslides, Chief Secretary Vijay Bhushan Pathak confirmed on Friday. He stated that three individuals lost their lives in a landslide in Namchi district, while six perished in another landslide in Mangan district that occurred on the nights of June 12 and 13.

Nine people die, over 1,200 tourists stranded during last three days due to landslides: Sikkim chief secretary

Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/vxfiEiUWP7 #Sikkim #Landslides #VijayBhushanPathak pic.twitter.com/utJjbwkosz

— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) June 14, 2024

Pathak further informed that approximately 1,200-1,400 tourists are currently stranded in Mangan district due to disrupted road communication caused by the landslides. The restoration of road connectivity is estimated to take between five to seven days. In response to the situation, the Sikkim government has swiftly requisitioned Air Force helicopters to facilitate the evacuation of stranded tourists as soon as weather conditions permit safe flying.

Regarding relief efforts, Pathak assured that gratuitous relief is being provided to the families of the deceased. Medical treatment is also underway for those severely injured in the incidents.

The Chief Secretary emphasized the state’s proactive measures to address the aftermath of the landslides, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of affected individuals.

Sikkim records 21.20, Arunachal gets 19.46 voter turnout in the State Assembly Elections

April 19, 2024, 12:48 pm

On Friday, April 19, voting for the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024 coincided with the first phase of the Lok Sabha Elections. The elections for all 60 Assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 Assembly seats in Sikkim are being conducted in a single phase on this day. The outcomes of the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim Assembly polls are scheduled to be announced on June 2. The results of these state Assembly elections will determine the next chief minister of these two northeastern states.

The voter turnout for the two states was recorded at 11 am.

Arunachal Pradesh: 19.46%

Sikkim: 21.20%

PM Modi to virtually lay foundation for Sikkim’s first railway station tomorrow

February 25, 2024, 3:19 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone for Sikkim’s inaugural railway station, Rangpo Station, on February 26, as announced by the Deputy Railway Manager of Alipurduar. Additionally, he will inaugurate nearly 550 Amrit railway stations on the same day.

Amarjeet Agrawal, the DRM, highlighted the strategic importance of Rangpo station from both a tourism and defense perspective for Sikkim and India. He explained that Sikkim did not previously have a railway line and that the project has been divided into three phases: Sevoke to Rangpo in the first phase, Rangpo to Gangtok in the second, and Gangtok to Nathula in the third.

“This is the third mode of connectivity for the people of Sikkim. So far, people have been traveling here by road and airway. This project was initially slated for completion by 2024, but due to external factors like floods and landslides, the timeline has been extended to 2025,” added the DRM Alipurduar.

Mohinder Singh, the project director, explained that the Sevoke-Rangpo project is a 45-kilometer-long rail line, with three and a half kilometers in Sikkim and the remaining in West Bengal. The project comprises fourteen tunnels, thirteen major bridges, and nine minor bridges, with completion currently at sixty to sixty-five percent. Track work is set to commence next month.

Singh further elaborated, “Eighty-six percent of the alignment of this project is in the tunnel, and digging out the tunnel is challenging work; it’s not easy due to the weak rock formations. We are able to dig fifteen meters per month.”

Regarding the Teesta Bazar station, Singh mentioned that it could potentially be an underground railway station, making it the first of its kind in the Indian Railways’ broad gauge network. The station’s platform is six hundred and twenty meters long, capable of accommodating a full-length train. Six excess tunnels have been constructed for emergency evacuation purposes.

“The Teesta Bazar station is very relevant because it connects Darjeeling to Gangtok, making it convenient for passengers traveling to either destination,” added Singh.

14 dead, 102 missing in Sikkim flash flood

October 5, 2023, 4:47 pm

The Sikkim Government confirmed on Wednesday that 14 people have already perished as a result of the flash floods that hit Sikkim early on Wednesday. All 14 of the dead were civilians, while 102 people are still unaccounted for. It’s possible that more than 3,000 tourists will be stranded across the State. In the tunnels of the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang, 12–14 workers are still trapped. Chungthang in the Mangan district, Dikchu, Singtam in the Gangtok district, and Rangpo in the Pakyong district have all reported injuries and missing people.

As per the information shared by the Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak, he informed, “The Lhonak lake received a cloud burst around 10:42 pm on Tuesday night. Thereafter the lake breached its embankment and made its course towards Teesta river. Soon different parts of the Teesta basin reported a rise in water, with particularly alarming levels in Chungthang where the Teesta Stage 3 dam was breached.”

43 people missing after a flash flood in Sikkim was caused by a cloudburst,rescue ops underway

October 4, 2023, 4:20 pm

As many as 43 people, including soldiers and civilians, have been listed as missing after flash floods were caused by a glacial lake outburst at South Lhonak Lake in North West Sikkim as a result of persistent rainfall in the area. According to an official, between 3,000 and 4,000 people were evacuated from Rangpo and its surroundings last night, and five relief camps were also established in the area.

Sikkim: 23 Army jawans missing due to a flash flood in the Teesta River of Lachen Valley

October 4, 2023, 10:59 am

When a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused a flash flood in the Teesta River of the Lachen Valley, up to 23 army jawans were reported missing, according to officials. 23 army personnel have been reported missing as a result of a flash flood that happened in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley after a sudden cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, according to the Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Guwahati.

The Gangtok District Administration provided details about the eruption, stating that the flash flood made its way through River Teesta, sweeping Indreni Bridge in Singtam town, about 30 kilometers from Gangtok. Around 4 am, a Balutar hamlet connecting bridge was also destroyed. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a cloud burst caused nonstop monsoon rain to fall on South Lhonark Lake in North West Sikkim.

The Gangtok District Administration was informed that the River Teesta was being swept by the flash flood as it moved through Singtam town, about 30 kilometers from Gangtok. Around 4 am, another Balutar hamlet connecting bridge was also destroyed. The Teesta Stage 3 Dam is located in Chungthang town, about 90 kilometers north of Gangtok, according to information from the Mangan District Administration. The locals in the area have been evacuated due to the high alert.

“Similarly, the Teesta Stage 5 dam at Dikchu in Mangan district was opened up for water disbursement after a high alert. It is reported that the control room of the dam has been severely damaged,” they informed.
Many homes near the River Teesta, situated in Gangtok’s Singtam have been evacuated. Additionally, temporary relief facilities have been established in the town’s Singtam Senior Secondary School, added officials

Avalanche hit Sikkim as seven killed and 80 people trapped

April 4, 2023, 4:13 pm

An avalanche at 15th Mile in Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula killed seven tourists while over 80 are feared trapped under the snow, said police officials.
The avalanche occurred on Tuesday around 12.20 pm.
The seven people succumbed to injuries in a nearby Army Hospital include 4 males, one woman and a child. According to the police, over 150 tourists are still stranded beyond the 15th mile. Meanwhile, 30 tourists who got trapped under the snow have been rescued and admitted to STNM Hospital and Central Referral Hospital in Gangtok.

Currently rescue operations are being carried out by Sikkim Police, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, Tourism department officials, and vehicle drivers.
As per information shared by Inspector General for Checkpost, Sonam Tenzing Bhutia, “Passes are issued for only 13th mile, but tourists are going to 15th Mile without permission. The incident took place in 15th mile.”

Nirmala Sitharman visits Sikkim for post financial budget outreach programme for 2023

February 28, 2023, 7:38 am

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday held an interaction with stakeholders, officers and chambers of commerce, SHGs and entrepreneurs at Chintan Bhawan in Gangtok.
Taking note of her visit to Sikkim, as part of the post-Financial Budget Outreach programme for 2023, Sitharaman termed it a ‘Gateway to the North East’ for the Budget outreach programme. “In the last four-five years, post the budget, we made it a practice to have the entire Ministry move around the country to various cities and there interact with the stakeholders, officers and chambers of commerce, SHGs, and so on to understand what they have perceived of the budget and if they need any clarity. They could have an exchange of ideas, the first time I did it in 2019 I found it very useful,” Sitharaman said.

Amit Shah highlights development work, on 3 day visit to North-East

October 7, 2022, 12:48 pm

Union home minister Amit Shah started his three-day visit to Sikkim and Assam on Thursday.

At Gangtok, Shah said that the region was only considered a “tourist destination” before Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. He also announced that center has decided to set up 65,000 active Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS).

“Leaving for the Northeast on my 3-day visit to Sikkim and Assam. Today will inaugurate the “Eastern and North-Eastern Zones Dairy Cooperative Conclave 2022” in Gangtok, followed by a series of programmes in Assam, “Shah had tweeted.

BJP national president JP Nadda will also arrive in Assam to inaugurate the party’s biggest office in the region. According to Assam State BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, the top leaders of the party will inaugurate the newly constructed Assam state BJP office in the Basistha area of Guwahati on Saturday, in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal and state party leaders.

Nadda and Shah will also attend the party workers’ meeting at the Veterinary College playground, Khanapara, in Guwahati. BJP leader Bhabesh Kalita said, “Our party national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will reach Guwahati on October 7 evening and they will attend a party meeting. They will also attend a party workers’ meeting to be held at Veterinary College playground, Khanapara, where around 35,000-40,000 party workers across the state will participate, “

Kalita also said that preparations for the programmes have already been made. According to the official sources, Shah will attend a series of official meetings on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. This includes the conference of the Superintendent of Police at the Police Training College at Dergaon.

According to BJP office bearers, the soon to be inaugurated Assam BJP state headquarters comes with state-of-the-art infrastructure. Spread over 95,000 square feet, the building will have six floors and an open rooftop premise with all modern amnesties.

It will consist of an auditorium to accommodate 350 people, along with top hi-tech conference halls with a capacity of 40 people each. It will also have five meeting halls to accommodate a maximum of 50 people each. The office will also have a big press conference room, along with a reception and a canteen. Shah laid the foundation stone for this phone back in February 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid special emphasis on the progress of the north-east region through various programmes as he himself made over 50 visits to the region.
In 2016, the BJP came to power in Assam for the first time, breaking the record term of the Congress party and becoming the only party in the state apart from the Congress to have back-to-back governments.
In 2017, the BJP formed a government in Manipur and also repeated its government in 2022.

Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang paid homage to people who died in the Amarnath cloudburst incident

July 9, 2022, 3:55 pm

Expressing anguish over the cloud burst near the holy shrine of Amarnath, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang paid homage to the people who died in the incident on Saturday.

“It is a tragic incident. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased. Till now, no information has come out on pilgrims from Sikkim in Amarnath. The rescue operation is going on there. The Central government is keeping an eye on the incident,” Tamang said to ANI.

According to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) DG Atul Karwal, 16 people have lost their lives in the cloud burst incident. Talking to ANI, Karwal said, “There are 16 confirmed deaths; about 40 still seem to be missing. There is no landslide, but the rain continues, though no problem in rescue work. Four NDRF teams with 100 rescuers in rescue work.”

Meanwhile, the Indian Air Force deployed 2 ALH Dhruv and Mi-17 V5 helicopters for the rescue operation. “ITBP had expanded its route opening and protection parties from Lower Holy cave to Panjtarni. The evacuation continued till 3.38 AM. No yatri is left on the track. Around 15,000 people were safely shifted till now,” the ITBP statement reads.

Earlier in the day, to enquire about the injured pilgrim’s health Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar.

After the incident, PM Narendra Modi expressed his grief and tweeted, “Anguished by the cloud burst near Shree Amarnath cave. Condolences to the bereaved families. Spoke to
@manojsinha_ Ji and took stock of the situation. Rescue and relief operations are underway. All possible assistance is being provided to the affected.”

However, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also noted the cloudburst incident situation and talked with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. “I have spoken with Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha pertaining to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Amarnath Cave. NDRF, SDRF, BSF & local admin are doing the rescue work. Our priority is to save the lives of people,” tweeted Shah.

On Friday, at the holy shrine of Amarnath, the cloudburst incident occurred where 16 people have already lost their lives, and 40 are still missing.