Over 1,200 tourists, including 15 foreigners, are stranded in Sikkim’s Mangan district due to massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall (for more than 36 hours), an official reported on Friday. Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang convened an emergency meeting in Mintokgang to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts.
Principal Secretary of the Sikkim Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, C S Rao, stated that the Chief Secretary’s office has initiated proceedings to airlift the stranded tourists. “As per the ground report, around 1,200 domestic and 15 foreign tourists (two from Thailand, three from Nepal, and ten from Bangladesh) are stranded in Lachung, Mangan district due to road blockages caused by heavy rainfall and landslides,” Rao said.
As per reports, the death toll in the state due to landslides triggered by excessive rainfall has reached nine.
Rao assured the safety of all the stranded tourists and urged locals to remain cautious. He also confirmed that there is an adequate stock of food supplies and rations to cater to the needs of those stranded. If necessary, tourists will be evacuated by road as a last resort.
The landslides have resulted in severe property damage, disruption of road connectivity, power outages, and a breakdown in food supplies and mobile networks in several areas. Stretches of roads are blocked, and houses have been flooded or damaged due to heavy rains, with electric poles swept away, officials reported.
CM Tamang directed officials to closely monitor the situation and expedite efforts to restore connectivity. Measures are being taken to address the most critical issues, with an appeal to the public to stay alert and adhere to safety guidelines while normalcy is restored.
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In North Sikkim, the collapse of a newly-constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang, along with a destroyed bamboo bridge, has further complicated the situation for stranded tourists. The bridge at Sangkalang, constructed last year after a flash flood in the Teesta river, is part of the disrupted infrastructure. Local officials are working to construct a bridge at Phidang to restore connectivity.
The CM’s meeting was crucial for strategizing and coordinating the response to the disaster, ensuring the safety and well-being of residents and tourists alike.
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