Gangtok: Indian Army personnel have successfully established a makeshift walkway to the remote village of Lachen in North Sikkim, reconnecting the area after it was completely cut off by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in Mangan district.
According to an official statement released Wednesday, 113 stranded tourists will be evacuated soon.
These tourists had been stuck in Lachen for several days following the landslides, which have caused widespread disruption across the region.
The Army’s efforts come amid ongoing search operations to locate six missing individuals after a June 1 landslide struck a military camp in Chaten.
“The Army has restored foot connectivity to Lachen and reached the stranded tourists, who will be evacuated shortly,” the statement said.
Army personnel have been working tirelessly in harsh weather and treacherous terrain to assist both local residents and tourists in the flood-affected areas of North Sikkim.
Earlier this week, 1,678 tourists were rescued from Lachung and Chungthang, while 34 others — including foreign nationals and family members of armed forces personnel — were airlifted to safety.
However, search operations in Chaten remain challenging due to adverse weather, unstable ground conditions, and the high-altitude terrain.
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The Army has deployed specialized rescue teams and engineering units to aid the mission.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across Sikkim on Wednesday, with the likelihood of intense spells during the day.
Residents in Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Pakyong, and Soreng districts have been advised to remain vigilant as inclement weather persists.
