Sikkim: Road to Lachen Reopens After 2025 Landslides

GANGTOK — Tourist access to the village of Lachen in North Sikkim has resumed after authorities reopened a key road that had remained closed since heavy rains and landslides caused extensive damage in June 2025.

The disaster had severely affected infrastructure across the region, damaging roads and bridges and disrupting connectivity to several high-altitude tourist destinations. Among the affected routes was the stretch leading to Lachen, which serves as a gateway for visitors travelling to Gurudongmar Lake.

Located at an altitude of around 17,000 feet, Gurudongmar Lake is one of the highest lakes in India and a major tourist attraction known for its dramatic Himalayan landscape and religious significance.

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Officials said the road between Chungthang and Lachen has now been restored, allowing the resumption of tourist travel. Authorities have also begun issuing travel permits again for visitors planning to travel to the area.

The reopening comes after the completion of a newly constructed bridge along the route, which had been the final obstacle preventing vehicles from accessing the region. The bridge, measuring approximately 400 feet in length, was recently inaugurated and has restored connectivity along the previously blocked stretch.

With the restoration of the route, tourists can once again reach Lachen and proceed toward Gurudongmar Lake and other destinations in the region.

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Authorities, however, have issued a safety advisory for vehicles travelling along the route. As the bridges allow only single-lane movement, vehicles will be permitted to cross one at a time to reduce safety risks.

Drivers have also been advised to adhere to load capacity restrictions and maintain adequate distance between vehicles while crossing the structures.

The advisory has been circulated to relevant departments, including tourism authorities and regional checkposts that regulate visitor movement into North Sikkim. Most travel permits for the area are issued online through the Third Mile office in Gangtok, which has also been informed about the reopening.

Officials indicated that there are currently no additional restrictions on tourist movement. With the road between Chungthang and Lachen now operational and considered safe for travel, authorities expect tourism activity in the region to gradually return to normal.