Darjeeling: Around 1,000 tourists from Bengal have been stranded in North Sikkim’s Lachen after a landslide damaged a crucial stretch of road near Tarum Chu Bridge. The district administration has suspended all movement along the Chungthang–Lachen route. However, offering partial relief to tourists and tour operators, the Lachung–Yumthang Valley–Zero Point circuit continues to remain fully functional, with travel itineraries and tour packages proceeding without interruption.Anant Jain, district collector-cum-magistrate of Mangan, issued a public advisory stating that the Lachen axis has been temporarily closed due to a breach in road formation, making travel unsafe.According to officials, the stranded tourists have been advised to remain indoors and avoid travelling amid adverse weather conditions. Authorities have assured that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure their safety.“The evacuation of stranded tourists is planned for Monday morning, subject to improvement in weather conditions and clearance of snow along the Dongkya La axis,” the administration said.A coordinated rescue and evacuation operation is underway involving multiple agencies, including the district administration, police, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Indian Army.Officials said operations are being conducted on a war footing to restore connectivity along the Lachen–Dongkya La–Lachung–Gangtok route.The authorities have urged tourists and stakeholders to remain calm, strictly follow official instructions, and prioritize safety. The exact time of evacuation will be communicated based on real-time assessment of weather and road conditions, officials said. Emergency helpline numbers — 9907956705/03592281007 — have also been issued for those seeking assistance.
