Gangtok, June 02 (H.S.): The rescue operation for tourists stranded in North Sikkim commenced on Monday morning due to heavy rains causing landslides that blocked the main road. Thousands of tourists were affected by the vehicular stoppage. Rescue efforts began around 8 AM, led by Mangan district administration, with assistance from police, army, BRO, ITBP, forest department, and tourism stakeholders. District Magistrate Anant Jain directed the convoy, successfully evacuating 1,678 tourists in 284 vehicles. Tourists in Lachung are being transported to Gangtok via Lachung-Chungthang-Sipgyer and Phidang. Ongoing efforts aim to restore road connectivity in Lachen for further evacuations..

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar