60 Tourists Evacuated from Lachen After Five Days of Severe Weather
Approximately 60 tourists stranded in North Sikkim’s Lachen since September 23 were evacuated on September 28 in a coordinated operation involving security forces, administration and local communities.
GANGTOK- Approximately 60 tourists who had been stranded in Lachen, North Sikkim, since September 23 due to continuous heavy rainfall, snowfall and a series of landslides were successfully evacuated on September 28 in a coordinated rescue operation.
The evacuation was carried out under the supervision of Mangan SP Rinzing Chopel Rai and Chungthang SDPO Chandan Chhetri, with the participation of the Indian Army, Sikkim government, Mangan district administration, disaster management personnel, police, local residents and social organisations.
Connectivity to Lachen was severely affected after a massive landslide at Chapten in Mangan blocked the main road leading to the mountain town.
With the principal route cut off, authorities also examined the possibility of using an alternative route through Lachung and Zero Point via Dongkya La. However, the route was itself obstructed by a thick layer of snow extending for approximately eight kilometres before Dongkya La.
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The situation prompted the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) to begin clearing snow and landslide debris to facilitate movement and restore connectivity.
A coordinated mechanism was put in place to manage the evacuation and road-clearance efforts.
The operation involved the district administration, police, Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), BRO/GREF and local institutions, including the Lachen Dzumsa.
The Station House Officer of Lachen Police Station and his team continuously monitored the situation and worked to ensure the safety of the stranded tourists.
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District authorities also inspected affected areas to assess the condition of roads and identify possible routes for evacuation and restoration of connectivity.
Local residents and organisations played a significant role during the prolonged road blockade.
The Lachen Dzumsa and Pipon arranged machinery, fuel and other logistical support required for road-clearing operations.
Volunteers from the Lachen Hotel Association, Drivers’ Association, Lachen Tourism Development Committee and Lachen Youth Development Committee also assisted in the rescue effort.
Hotel owners and leasing companies in Lachen provided free accommodation and meals to tourists who remained stranded during the disruption.
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Tea and meals were also arranged for tourists as well as personnel involved in the rescue operation.
One of the evacuated tourists, Nirmal Srivastava, expressed gratitude to the local residents and hotel owners for providing shelter and food during the crisis.
He said the support extended by the people of Lachen gave the stranded tourists confidence during the difficult period.
Following the successful evacuation, all the stranded tourists were transported safely to Gangtok.
Vehicles arranged by their respective travel agencies were used to take the tourists onward to their destinations from Gangtok.
Meanwhile, BRO and GREF personnel continued working to clear landslide debris and snow from the road leading towards Lachen.
Authorities expect connectivity to improve as restoration work progresses. However, travellers planning to visit North Sikkim have been advised to check the latest weather and road conditions with the district administration or relevant authorities before undertaking the journey.
The evacuation operation also highlighted the role of coordination between government agencies, security forces and local communities in responding to emergencies in the difficult terrain of North Sikkim.
