Over 200 stranded vehicles evacuated safely after sudden snowfall in East Sikkim
Nearly 200 vehicles, stranded between Tsomgu and Thegu in East Sikkim, were evacuated following sudden snowfall and hailstorm. The swift and coordinated efforts of the Sikkim Police and the Indian Army ensured that all passengers were safely evacuated.
Station House Officer (SHO) of Sherathang, Yogendra Gurung shared a video of the evacuation, showcasing the effective response by the authorities.
ALSO READ: 1,800 tourists still stuck in Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung after landslides
As a precaution, no permits have been issued for travel to Nathula, located on the Indo-China border.
Meanwhile the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast generally cloudy sky with a few spells of rain or thundershowers in several areas of Sikkim.
On Saturday, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) launched restoration works on a war footing in north Sikkim following massive landslides triggered by a cloudburst and incessant rains, enabling partial road connectivity for the evacuation of over 1,000 stranded tourists.
According to an official release, the devastating rainfall, which recorded up to 130 mm on April 24, caused severe damage to roads leading to major tourist destinations, including Lachen, Lachung, Gomra, the Valley of Flowers, and Zero Point. The deluge triggered multiple landslides and formation breaches, severely hampering road infrastructure crucial to Sikkim's tourism-dependent economy.
Under Project Swastik, BRO personnel have been working around the clock in harsh and inclement weather to restore critical links. Despite facing a formation breach of approximately 70 metres on the road to Lachen, efforts are underway on a war footing to reconnect the area.
Meanwhile, Project Swastik teams achieved a significant breakthrough by reopening the road towards Lachung for one-way movement of light vehicles by the evening of April 26. The restored connectivity is expected to facilitate the safe evacuation of more than 1,000 stranded tourists from Lachung and Lachen via Donkyala Pass.
With the prolonged monsoon season setting in early, BRO workers continue to strengthen damaged road infrastructure and undertake crucial surfacing work to ensure safer and more durable connectivity. Their dedicated and selfless efforts, despite relentless rains and challenging terrain, have garnered widespread appreciation from local communities. Road infrastructure remains vital for the economic and tourism growth of Sikkim, and the swift action by BRO has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the region during critical times.A massive landslide hit Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road in North Sikkim.
Sikkim experiences continui
The region is experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, which has made the roads inaccessible at night. Although the road to Chungthang is open, the heavy rain has made nighttime travel unsafe. As a result, permits for North Sikkim will not be issued on Sunday, and all previously issued advanced permits have been deemed cancelled.
Sonam Dechu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police, Mangan district, north Sikkim, announced the cancellation of permits due to the challenging weather conditions and roadblocks caused by the landslide.
"A massive landslide has occurred at Munshithang on the Lachen-Chungthang road and at Lema/Bob on the Lachung-Chungthang road. Further, it has been raining continuously in north Sikkim. The road to Chungthang is open, but due to heavy rain, it cannot be accessed at night. Hence, permits for north Sikkim will not be issued tomorrow, and all the advanced permits issued are deemed cancelled," said Bhutia.The landslides have affected critical routes connecting tourist destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, and Yumthang in North Sikkim, areas that are popular among visitors during the spring and summer seasons.
Authorities cautioned tourists and residents against travelling on these routes due to the high risk of further landslides and road collapses. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Final preparations reviewed for Kailash Mansarovar yatra
Pithoragarh: Pithoragarh district magistrate Vinod Kumar Goswami, on Friday, reviewed the final preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar yatra scheduled to resume on June 30 after a five-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) – the nodal agency for the yatra. To facilitate the journey, KMVN has arranged 13 buses, with two reserved as backup. The DM instructed the health department to establish base hospital facilities at Gunji and directed BRO to deploy earth movers at landslide-prone areas to ensure smooth vehicle movement, with road condition bulletins to be issued twice daily. He also instructed the establishment of a robust communication system for pilgrims and support staff. "The 23-day pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar will be conducted by road via Lipulekh pass. This year, only five batches – each comprising 50 pilgrims – will undertake the yatra. Pilgrims will also have the opportunity to visit Adi Kailash, Patal Bhuvaneshwar Cave Temple, and Jageswar Dham," said DM Goswami. Officials said the first batch will assemble in Delhi on June 30 to complete visa, fee, and medical formalities. The group will then proceed to Tanakpur on July 4, from where ITBP will escort them to Lipulekh. The last batch will depart on Aug 4, with the yatra concluding on Aug 26.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Preparations for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra reviewed in U'khand's Pithoragarh
Pithoragarh, The preparations for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, which resumes through the Lipulekh Pass in this district after a gap of five years on June 30, were reviewed at a meeting here on Saturday, officials said. Preparations for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra reviewed in U'khand's Pithoragarh Pithoragarh District Magistrate Vinod Goswami said that a total of 250 pilgrims in five batches consisting of 50 pilgrims each would visit Kailash Mansarovar from the Lipulekh Pass route this year. "For the first time in the history of the yatra, the pilgrims will reach Lipulekh Pass in vehicles. Over 13 vehicles have been arranged and two kept in reserve for the purpose by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency for the yatra," he added. The district magistrate said the first batch of pilgrims will reach Dharchula Base Camp on July 5 and leave for the Gunji Camp the following day. Goswami said the pilgrims will be medically examined first at the high altitude of Gunji where they will be kept for two days for acclimatisation, adding the second medical test on the pilgrims will be performed at Nabhidhang before they enter Tibet. "We have arranged a physician besides base hospital level medical facilities for the pilgrims at Gunji. We have updated the lodging facilities at all camps of the yatra ," the official said. The representative from the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam , Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police , Sashastra Seema Bal and Border Roads Organisation attended the review meeting, he added. In view of heightened vulnerability of roads in the region to landslides during monsoon, the district magistrate said the BRO has been asked to issue updates on the condition of roads on the yatra route twice daily. The pilgrims will have rest at Bundi Camp on their return journey from Tibet and return to New Delhi via Berinag visiting Chaukori, Patal Bhuvneshwar, Hat Kalika, Jageshwar, Almora and Kainchi Dham, he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Restarts After 5 Years, First Batch Leaves from Nathula Pass, ET TravelWorld
Advt Advt Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. All about ETTravelWorld industry right on your smartphone! Download the ETTravelWorld App and get the Realtime updates and Save your favourite articles. After a gap of five years, the revered Kailash Mansarovar Yatra through Sikkim recommenced on Friday with the ceremonial flagging off of the first batch of pilgrims by Sikkim Governor Om Prakash Mathur from the Nathula Pass The batch comprises 33 pilgrims, accompanied by two nodal officers and one doctor from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), making a total of 36 members. The resumption of this spiritual journey marks a significant moment of international cooperation and cultural continuity between India and at the flagging-off ceremony, Governor Mathur said, "It is a moment of immense pride for the state of Sikkim that this historic and spiritual journey is progressing through the sacred land of the state." He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reviving the yatra, terming it a sign of restored heritage and international Governor also lauded the Sikkim Government, ITBP, and Indian Army for their coordination in making this possible. Before their departure, he interacted with the pilgrims, offering wishes for a safe and healthy journey. Sikkim tourism minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia says, "After 5 years, history is being created that devotees from all over India are coming here and getting ready to start the Mansarovar yatra... This Kailash Mansarovar yatra was closed for many days due to COVID-19. But now the first batch is going today, and the second batch is getting ready. It also gives publicity to Sikkim's Nathu La and will also give value addition to Sikkim tourism..."The pilgrims underwent stringent medical screening and completed a two-phase high-altitude acclimatisation process, first at the 18th Mile and then at Sherathang. These measures were mandatory to prepare them for the extreme Himalayan conditions, situated at altitudes above 14,000 official from the Indian Army confirmed the fitness of the group, stating, "All yatris have been declared fit by the medical team and are ready to proceed."Shalanda Sharma, one of the pilgrims, told ANI, "This yatra is starting after five years through mutual agreement between the Government of India and the Government of China. The arrangements, the hospitality, and the medical attention--we're truly grateful. We're all excited to carry blessings from Kailash Mansarovar back to India."Another pilgrim, Indar Sharma, praised the arrangements made by the Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) and authorities, stating that everything from medical checks to logistics had been handled efficiently. He added, "We are carrying blessings and hope this yatra strengthens India-China ties and allows more pilgrims in the future."As per schedule, by 9:15 AM, the group was expected to cross the Nathula border into the Chinese side, where immigration formalities would be completed before they continue their pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar yatra is being jointly facilitated by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation, and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, ensuring a safe and smooth experience for all participants.
