At least 427 tourists stranded in North Sikkim for torrential rain evacuated at last

Gangtok: North Sikkim, due to torrential rain on Monday, is under flood alert at present with hundreds of tourists stranded in the region. however, an acute measure of rescuing the stranded tourists was conducted by the district administration resulting in evacuating around 427 tourists from the northern part of the state and bringing them to the capital city Gangtok.

As stated by North Sikkim Collector Raj Yadav, vehicles were arranged by the district administration for the rescue process of the tourists on Thursday. The tourists, reportedly, had to be stranded in North Sikkim for four days as the road infrastructure in the region got completely damaged due to the rain.

Yadav further added that apart from the government and Army vehicles, the evacuation process involved private taxis as well through which the stranded tourists were first carried to Chungthang. Later, the tourists were carried from Chungthang to Gangtok by state-owned buses. The tourists, on their way to reach Gangtok, were provided with free-of-cost refreshments.

Apart from the evacuation, transportation and refreshment arrangements of the tourists, they were assisted with medical facilities as well. North Sikkim DC added that the Travel Agents Association of Sikkim played a key role in the rescue process as the association provided free food and lodging to all visitors at Lachen. Similar commendable help was also extended by Indian Army’s Gorkha Regiment and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Earlier, as per reports, as many as 60 tourist vehicles stranded in between Lachen and Zema 3 in North Sikkim. The road condition in the area deteriorated and the tourists had to remain stranded four days ago. The rain was caused by a cloudburst that occurred in the region a few hours ago.

Further, the concerned authorities are ordered by the Chief Minister PS Golay to clear the road as soon as possible. the blocked and damaged roads have caused major issues in the area right from hampering its tourism industry to creating other financial issues. The tourists of the state are also asked to be assisted by the authorities.