Road Connectivity Restored to Sikkim’s Lachung, Evacuation of 1,500 Stranded Tourists Begins Today

Ravi Singh

In a major relief for stranded travelers, road connectivity to Lachung in Sikkim’s Mangan district has been restored, paving the way for the evacuation of nearly 1,500 tourists trapped in the region due to a recent natural calamity. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has successfully cleared massive landslides, rebuilt damaged road segments, and repaired a dangerous breach near the suspension bridge at Phidang. This crucial development allows one-way vehicular movement via the Lachung-Chungthang-Shipgyere-Sanklang-Dikchu road.

The tourists had been stranded for several days following a sudden cloudburst and relentless heavy rainfall on May 30, which triggered widespread destruction across North Sikkim. According to officials, the rainfall exceeded 130 mm, leading to significant landslides, formation breaches, and damage to key bridges and access roads. The popular tourist routes connecting Lachen, Lachung, Gurudongmar Lake, the Valley of Flowers, and Zero Point were all severely affected.

Particularly, the Dikchu–Sanklang–Shipgyere Road, Chungthang–Lachen–Zeema Road, and Chungthang–Lachung Road were completely cut off, isolating the northern region from the rest of the state. Adding to the crisis, two bailey bridges on the Lachen axis — one at Minsithang and another at Zeema — were washed away, disconnecting Lachen town from both the north and south ends. The situation was further worsened as the swollen Teesta River eroded the earth near the suspension bridge at Phidang, putting its structural towers in jeopardy.

Despite the challenging terrain and adverse weather, the BRO has worked tirelessly to reconnect the region. With road access now partially restored, evacuation operations for the stranded tourists are set to begin today under the supervision of local authorities and disaster response teams. The restored route will act as a critical lifeline for emergency services and the safe return of affected travelers.

The government has urged tourists to remain patient and cooperate with officials as phased evacuations proceed. Meanwhile, BRO teams continue to work round-the-clock to stabilize the remaining infrastructure and restore full connectivity across all affected areas.