Sikkim: Six dead, 1,500 tourists stranded as landslides, rain wreak havoc

The connection between Mangan, Dzongu, and Chungthang broke down when a recently built Bailey bridge at Sangkalang collapsed.

Digital Desk: Massive landslides caused by continuous rains devastated northern Sikkim's Mangan district, leaving at least six people dead and about 1,500 tourists trapped, officials said on Thursday.

The connection between Mangan, Dzongu, and Chungthang broke down when a recently built Bailey bridge at Sangkalang collapsed. According to reports, power lines were washed away, roads were obstructed by landslides, and numerous homes were destroyed or submerged.

Now blocked off from the rest of the country are towns like Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung in the Mangan district, which are well-known for tourist attractions like Yunthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake.

Pakshep and Ambhithang villages each lost three residents, according to Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri. Numerous homes in Nampathang and Geythang sustained damage. According to Chettri, a relief camp has been established at Pakshep for the displaced individuals. 

Following the nonstop rain that has been falling in and around Mangan District since Wednesday night, the district magistrate called a meeting with other officials to evaluate the situation and give them instructions on how to conduct rescue and relief efforts. 

Even as the district administration requested that an SDRF team with rations be sent to Mangan, the officials reported that mobile network services were disrupted in North Sikkim.

Critical connections have once again been cut by the collapse of the Bailey Bridge at Sangkalang, which was constructed in the aftermath of the major societal flood in the Teesta River in October of last year. In order to allow for the establishment of alternate route connectivity for vehicle traffic, officials have recommended stranded tourists to stay where they are, according to officials. 

In an effort to quickly build a bridge at Phidang and restore communication in the area, the Mangan district administration has begun working with a number of organizations.