Nearly a thousand tourists have found themselves stranded in North Sikkim as a result of landslides triggered by relentless rainfall, severely disrupting vehicular movement in the Himalayan state. Approximately 200 tourist vehicles were stuck at Chungthang on Thursday, according to reports from the Press Trust of India (PTI). The immediate response saw these stranded tourists seeking refuge at a local Gurudwara as authorities swiftly stepped in to manage the situation.
Local police have identified significant landslides at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road, and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. Chungthang, which lies around 100 kilometers from Sikkim’s capital, Gangtok, bore the brunt of this natural disruption, compounded by continuous downpours in the northern parts of the state. As a precaution, local officials have suspended travel permits to the area, advising all tour operators to refrain from organizing trips to North Sikkim until further notice. “A massive landslide has occurred on both the Lachen-Chungthang road and Lachung-Chungthang road with incessant rainfall continuing in the area,” stated Sonam Dechu Bhutia, Mangan district Superintendent of Police. While the road to Chungthang technically remains open, the persistent heavy rain renders it inaccessible at night, Bhutia added.
Authorities have cancelled all tourist permits for April 25, as access routes to popular destinations such as Lachen and Lachung are severely impacted by the landslides. These scenic regions are renowned for their pristine beauty, drawing visitors to nearby attractions like Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley. The disruption is particularly poignant as these areas represent some of the most coveted tourist spots in the region.
In a related development, the Jammu-Srinagar national highway, which had also faced closure due to landslide issues, has resumed one-way traffic. This reopening provides some relief after a three-day blockade. Additionally, a special train was launched from Katra to New Delhi to aid stranded passengers in reaching their final destinations. This highway is crucial as the only all-weather road connecting Kashmir with other parts of India, highlighting its strategic importance. The closure came on the heels of a tragic incident in Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, where a terror attack claimed the lives of at least 26 individuals, predominantly tourists, on Tuesday.
The combination of natural disruptions and human tragedies underscores the fragility and unpredictability impacting Indian travel regions, particularly those tucked away amidst the picturesque yet challenging Himalayan terrain. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks posed by nature, alongside the disruptive potential of human conflict, necessitating comprehensive safety and contingency planning for travelers and authorities alike.
Original Source: https://news.abplive.com/cities/1-000-tourists-stranded-in-north-sikkim-due-to-landslides-amid-heavy-rain-travel-permits-suspended-1767716
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Publish Date: 2025-04-25 09:27:00
