Heavy rainfall since Thursday has triggered landslides in north Sikkim, stranding around 1,000 tourists in the high-altitude hill stations of Lachen and Lachung. Roads near Munshithang and Lima, connecting Chungthang to these towns, have been severely damaged, halting travel. Mangan SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia reported that 1,500 other tourists, stranded on roads, were rescued on Friday after spending the night in nearby villages, police stations, and ITBP camps.

The district administration has cancelled all travel permits for north Sikkim and barred tour operators from sending tourists until conditions improve. Lachen, still recovering from the devastating 2023 Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, faces renewed isolation. Efforts to clear roads continue, but the fate of those still stranded remains uncertain as rains persist