Snow clearance operations underway in North Sikkim as tourists remain stranded in Lachen

Authorities in North Sikkim have launched a coordinated operation to clear snow-blocked routes and facilitate the safe evacuation of tourists stranded in Lachen, officials said.

The clearance effort, involving the Indian Army and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), along with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and local stakeholders, focused on removing a thick layer of snow along the Lachen–Donkyla–Shiv Mandir axis. However, the operation could not be completed due to adverse weather conditions, delaying immediate restoration of connectivity.

Officials said that despite sustained efforts, the affected stretch remains unsafe for vehicular movement, leaving several tourists confined to Lachen as they await evacuation. The continuation of clearance work will depend on improvement in weather conditions, with operations expected to resume early Monday.

The situation is being closely monitored by Mangan District Collector Anant Jain and Superintendent of Police L.B. Chettri. Authorities have deployed additional manpower from the DDMA to expedite snow clearance and prepare for evacuation once the route becomes accessible.

Officials added that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of stranded tourists, with coordination ongoing among multiple agencies to restore normalcy at the earliest.