Evacuation of 1,200 tourists stranded in Sikkim may begin today

The evacuation of more than 1,200 tourists stranded in Sikkim’s Mangan district may begin on Monday (June 17) if the weather permits.

If weather conditions are favourable, the tourists will be evacuated by air or road, Chungthang’s Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kiran Thatal told news agency PTI.

Govt help for tourists

According to him, the district administration has got the stranded tourists accommodated at various hotels in Lachung town where they were being provided food at a nominal rate.

In case of any inconvenience, the tourists have been directed to report to the Lachung police station, he said.

The SDM also convened a meeting with Chungthang BDO Pipon Lachung and the hotel owners to discuss the evacuation process.

The hotel owners have also been told not to ask the tourists to vacate their rooms till the evacuation process was initiated, Thatal said.

Minister visits Lachung

Roads and Bridges Department Minister NB Dahal also reached Lachung and interacted with the tourists and heard their grievances and assured safe evacuation at the earliest.

At least six people have been killed in Sikkim due to landslides triggered by heavy rain over the past few days. The natural calamity has also damaged properties and disrupted power and food supplies and mobile networks in several areas, officials said.

More than 1,200 tourists, including 15 foreigners, have been stranded in Lachung town due to the landslides.

The Border Roads Organisation has been working to clear the roads and restore connectivity with North Sikkim.

(With agency inputs)