Three Army personnel were killed and six others went missing after a landslide triggered by heavy rainfall hit a military camp in Sikkim’s Lachen district. Soon after the incident, the Army launched a rescue operation and recovered the bodies of Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and porter Abhishek Lakhada. Four personnel were rescued with minor injuries.

Approximately 1,500 tourists were left stranded in North Sikkim during the weekend following incessant rains that caused several landslides, isolating major roads and causing extensive disruption to the entire region. The Mangan district saw the worst of the natural calamity, where a fatal incident resulted in the disappearance of eight tourists. The search and rescue mission for them was suspended because of the heavily swollen Teesta River, which added to the misery of an already tragic situation.

Tragedy on the Lachen-Lachung Highway

The most distressing incident occurred on Thursday night near Munsithang along the Lachen-Lachung highway in Mangan district, where a vehicle carrying 11 tourists plunged more than 1,000 feet into the surging Teesta River.

The accident claimed one life and left two injured. Among the 11 tourists in the vehicle, two—Swayam Supratim Nayak and Sairaj Jena from Odisha—were rescued and are being treated at STNM Hospital in Gangtok.

The missing include four from Odisha (Ajit Kumar Nayak, Sunita Nayak, Sahil Jena, Itshiri Jena), two from Tripura (Debjyoti Joy Dev, Swapnanil Deb), and two from Uttar Pradesh (Kaushalendra Pratap Singh, Ankita Singh). The driver, identified as Passang Denu Sherpa from Singhik in North Sikkim, was also among those in the vehicle.

Mangan District Collector Anant Jain confirmed that four ID cards and six mobile phones were recovered from the riverbank near the crash site. Search efforts for the missing were disrupted and ultimately suspended on Saturday due to the rising river and continuous downpour.

SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia on Saturday said, “A continuous heavy rainfall and a swollen Teesta river have hampered the search to locate the eight missing persons.”

Tourists Stranded as Landslides Wreck Road Connectivity

In addition to the accident, the district was hit by heavy landslides, especially in the Theeng and Chungthang areas, which led to blocked roads and damage to properties. As per official estimates, “115 tourists are stranded in Lachen and 1,350 tourists in Lachung.” The roads leading to and from both regions remain blocked, making evacuation impossible for now.

Authorities have advised all stranded tourists to remain in their hotels and assured them that they would be shifted once the roads are cleared. Mangan SP Sonam Detchu Bhutia reiterated, “Since exit from both directions is closed due to landslides at multiple locations, the tourists have been advised to remain in their hotels, and once the roads are completely opened, they shall be shifted.”

The Lachung road was reopened on Saturday evening, offering some respite. However, the route from Pegong (Chungthang) to Phidang via Shipgyer and Sangkalang remains inaccessible due to multiple landslides.

Swollen Teesta Disrupts Infrastructure and Connectivity

The Teesta River’s water level rose sharply due to persistent rainfall and a reported cloudburst in the region, putting immense strain on infrastructure. The Phidang Bailey Bridge – a critical link between Mangan and Chungthang – suffered partial damage as the river’s strong currents undermined one of its bases. Restoration work was underway on Sunday morning, according to ANI.

A video released by ANI on Saturday showed the Teesta River overflowing its banks, with concerned locals standing on the riverbank watching the chaos unfold.

Mobile connectivity, which had been severed for nearly 24 hours, was restored around 3 pm on Saturday, bringing relief to residents and tourists desperate to reach loved ones. Power supply, disrupted since Friday afternoon, was also restored by Saturday evening. Efforts are still ongoing to restore the drinking water supply, expected to resume by Sunday.

IMD Warnings and No New Permits for North Sikkim

With the situation deteriorating rapidly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued public advisories urging residents and tourists to stay indoors, avoid travel, and steer clear of riverbanks and unstable slopes.

“No tourist permits have been issued today, and will also not be issued tomorrow for visiting north Sikkim,” an official told PTI, indicating the seriousness of the situation.

District Administration Leads Rescue Efforts

District Collector Anant Jain and his team are on the ground, monitoring the situation and coordinating ongoing rescue and relief operations. Jain confirmed he is at the accident site, leading the efforts to locate the missing tourists and ensuring assistance reaches those stranded.

“I am at the site of the tourist vehicle accident in the Teesta, overseeing the rescue operation,” Jain said.

Despite the severe conditions, local authorities remain committed to restoring normalcy. Their immediate focus includes clearing blocked routes, re-establishing basic services like water and electricity, and ensuring the safety of stranded tourists.

Cloudburst and Relentless Rain Compound Crisis

A reported cloudburst in the region worsened the situation, contributing to the surge in Teesta's water level and accelerating landslide incidents. The continuous rain throughout Saturday particularly affected the Chungthang sub-division, already one of the worst-hit areas.

While the rain shows no sign of letting up, the administration is working around the clock to minimize damage and protect lives.

Hope Amid Uncertainty

While stranded tourists are stuck in their hotels, authorities and rescuers persevere, fighting nature's wrath. The relatives of the missing wait anxiously for word, while the state prepares to receive additional rain.

With quick coordination, on-ground leadership, and public support, Sikkim keeps showing its strength amidst the fury of nature. But for now, the search is halted, the roads are sealed, and a state waits with bated breath.

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