NewzVille Desk
In a major rescue operation, 1,678 tourists stranded in Lachung, North Sikkim were safely evacuated after a sudden cloudburst and heavy rainfall wreaked havoc in the region on May 29.
The first batch of 18 tourist vehicles reached Phidang in Lower Dzongu today, led personally by Mangan District Collector Anant Jain. A total of 284 vehicles and 16 bikes have now crossed Theng Check Post en route to Gangtok.
The evacuation was made possible through coordinated efforts of the Army, district administration, Border Roads Organisation (BRO),  Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), police, Forest Department, Lachung Dzumsa, TAAS, SHRA, Drivers’ Associations, and local residents.
Extreme weather caused widespread landslides, formation breaches, and bridge collapses, cutting off key tourist routes including those to Lachen, Lachung, and Gurudongmar.
Two Bailey bridges on the Lachen axis at Minsithang and Zeema were washed away, leaving Lachen completely isolated.
DC Anant Jain appreciated the dedication of all agencies and stakeholders involved. He assured that all tourists from Lachung will be safely transported to Gangtok via the Lachung–Chungthang–Siphgyer–Phidang route by today.
As per the latest update, a convoy of 284 vehicles and 16 bikes carrying 1,678 tourists has crossed Theng Check Post. Efforts to restore road connectivity to Lachen are ongoing.
