Mon Jun 02 12:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the article followed by a news report version:
**Summary:**
Heavy rains and a cloudburst in late May 2025 left hundreds of tourists stranded in North Sikkim, particularly in Lachung and Lachen. On June 2, 2025, a coordinated effort involving local authorities, police, the Army, BRO, and various other organizations successfully began evacuating tourists from Lachung via Phidang to Gangtok. Efforts are underway to restore road connectivity to Lachen for further evacuations. Search and rescue operations continue for nine tourists missing after their vehicle fell into the Teesta River. The Tourism Department advises tourists to exercise caution and stay updated on road and weather conditions.
**News Article:**
**Hundreds Evacuated From Stranded in North Sikkim as Rescue Efforts Continue**
**Gangtok, June 2, 2025** – A major operation successfully evacuated over 100 tourists from the North Sikkim town of Lachung today, following days of being stranded due to heavy rains and infrastructure damage. The first convoy of 18 vehicles reached Phidang, where tourists will continue their journey to Gangtok.
The evacuation involved a coordinated effort between the Mangan District administration led by District Collector Anant Jain, the Sikkim Police, the Indian Army, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and various tourism stakeholders. Authorities report that a second convoy of nearly 1700 tourists in 284 vehicles is currently en route to Phidang.
“All the tourists from Lachung will be transported back safely today,” affirmed Mr. Jain. “Efforts are underway to restore road connectivity to Lachen, and we will evacuate tourists stranded there once the road is ready.”
The tourists were stranded after a sudden cloudburst on May 30th triggered severe flooding and landslides, partially damaging key bridges and rendering roads impassable.
Sikkim Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva, along with senior police officials, personally welcomed the evacuated tourists in Phidang. The tourists expressed their gratitude to the government and rescue teams.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continue for nine missing tourists, including a driver, whose vehicle plunged into the Teesta River on May 29th.
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has issued an advisory urging tourists to exercise caution and stay informed about road and weather conditions due to the approaching monsoon season. The department assures that relief and evacuation support will be provided in case of unforeseen circumstances.
First Piper 