Sikkim Landslides: SP Sonam Dechu Bhutia Updates on Tourist Evacuation and Missing Persons

Mangan (Sikkim), June 1, 2025 (ANI): SP Sonam Dechu Bhutia provided an update on the situation in Lachung and Lachen. He said, "1276 domestic tourists and 2 foreign nationals are in Lachung and Lachen... The evacuation process, which was supposed to be carried out today, was dampened due to a landslide in Shipgyer in Upper Dzongu... The foundation of this bridge (Phidang Bailey Bridge) was also disturbed and is undergoing repair today... If the route is not broken, we can evacuate the tourists in Lachung by tomorrow... Lachen evacuation is not possible due to broken roads..." On missing tourists, he says, "Our teams are working to locate them. The vehicle was visible two days prior, but now with the rising river level, the vehicle cannot be located... We were able to locate a few mobile phones and identity cards, which we have kept in the police station, but no trace of missing individuals... Something like a dead body was visible. The body is at such a location in the cliff that we were unable to reach it either through the use of ropes or by crossing the river with a lifeboat. The family members of the missing persons are currently camped in Mangan town and we are updating them on every rescue effort..."