Permits for East Sikkim limited due to snowfall road blockages; stranded tourists evacuated successfully in North

The ongoing road blockages caused by heavy snowfall in East Sikkim have led to new restrictions on travel permits. Due to the weather-related disruptions, permits for the JN Road will now be issued only up to Changu Lake, and for the RN Road, permits will be limited to Zuluk. This precautionary measure has been introduced to ensure the safety of travelers while ongoing efforts to clear the affected routes continue.

Meanwhile, a successful rescue operation saw all tourists who had been stranded in Lachung town due to landslides being safely evacuated. The region had been cut off for two days due to the road blockages caused by the landslides on April 25, trapping tourists and halting all travel.

A coordinated operation involving the district administration of Mangan, local authorities, and various community groups facilitated the evacuation of the stranded tourists. The District Collector of Mangan, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Chungthang, and the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Chungthang worked together with local bodies such as the Pipons of Lachung Dzumsa, ensuring smooth operations.

Key support came from the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), which managed logistics and coordinated efforts with the stranded tourists. The General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and construction companies A.K. Builders and SUL played a pivotal role in clearing the debris and restoring the roads, while the Driver Association of Chungthang facilitated the safe transportation of tourists.

The Border Road Organisation (BRO) personnel under Project Swastik were instrumental in reopening the road to Lachung for one-way traffic, allowing light vehicles to pass safely. As soon as the roads were deemed safe for movement, the tourists were swiftly moved to Mangan, where additional arrangements were made to ensure their comfort and safety.

Tourists, who had been anxiously waiting for two days, expressed immense relief and gratitude as they were finally able to leave the area. Many thanked the authorities and local communities for their tireless efforts in ensuring their safe passage.