Sikkim landslide chaos: Over 1,000 tourists stranded as permits suspended

A massive landslide hit North Sikkim's Munshithang region on the Lachen-Chungthang road, along with the Lema/Bob region on the same road, following continuous rains. The accident has brought traffic to a halt at important stretches of the highway, leaving over 1,000 tourists stranded. Photos on the scene indicated continuous rain and roads littered with debris. A stretch of roads were waterlogged, and several vehicles got stuck, making it almost impossible for any movement.

Traffic halted, permits revoked

On safety grounds of road conditions, authorities have suspended issuing new travel permits to North Sikkim temporarily. All the advance permits previously issued are now cancelled with immediate effect as a precautionary measure."Travel permits to North Sikkim will not be issued tomorrow, and all the advance permits issued stand cancelled," Superintendent of Mangan district Sonam Dechu Bhutia explained.

Tourists seek refuge in Gurudwara

As many as 1,000 tourists have been left stranded in the region. Police reports that nearly 200 vehicles with tourists are stranded in Chungthang, in which tourists are sheltered at a nearby Gurudwara. Chungthang is approximately 100 km from the state capital Gangtok.
 

Travel operators directed to suspend tour

Tour operators have been asked not to dispatch any more tourists to North Sikkim until further order. Sikkim Police's Permit Cell will not issue any permit for movement towards north Sikkim on Friday, keeping in mind the prevailing weather and road conditions, police officials informed.

Authorities work to resolve crisis

The government is trying to solve the crisis and get the stranded tourists to safety. The situation is under close observation, and attempts are being made to open up the roads and resume traffic movement.