Tourists safely cross road after twin landslides in Sikkim

Gangtok March 31:About 100 tourists, who were stranded in North Sikkim following a twin landslide blocking a key road late last evening, safely made it to the other side today, official sources said. The 21 km long Chungthang-Lachung road was blocked close to Chungthang by two back to back landslides triggered by unexpected rains yesterday. Popular tourist destination Yumthang is 24 km away from Lachung. 

The tourists, mostly from West Bengal, and later the vehicles were taken to the other side of the road with help from the BRO, the district administration and the army, they said. The first landslide occurred at Bopp, two km from Chungthang and the second one at Bhim Nala, around four km from there.After the landslides, it was impossible for any vehicle to get through the massive rubble. So the tourists had either to trek that route negotiating a treacherous trail or go back to Lachung, the sources said. 

While some of the adventurous tourists made it through with guides and local help last night, the rest returned to Lachung and were brought to Chungthang this afternoon where they were given food and shelter at a Gurudwara. The vehicles, however, made it through affected area only by this evening, they said. 

BRO officials said the road will be opened for regular traffic by tomorrow if the rains do not affect work. The road connecting Chungthang and Lachen was also blocked because of the rains at Rangma range. The road would be opened within two days, the BRO said. An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude had left over 90 people dead in North Sikkim on September 18, 2011.