Gangtok : At least six people were killed and 1,500-odd tourists stranded as massive landslides triggered by incessant rainfall caused devastation in northern Sikkim’s Mangan district, officials said on Thursday.

A newly-constructed bailey bridge at Sangkalang collapsed snapping the link between Mangan with Dzongu and Chungthang. Landslides blocked stretches of roads and several houses were inundated or damaged, while electricity poles were swept away, they said.

Towns such as Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung in Mangan district known for popular tourist spots like Gurudongmar Lake and Yunthang Valley have now been cut off from the rest of the country.

“Three persons each died in Pakshep and Ambhithang villages,” Mangan District Magistrate Hem Kumar Chettri said. A number of houses were damaged in Geythang and Nampathang.  Chettri said that a relief camp has been set up at Pakshep for the displaced people.

The district magistrate held a meeting with other officials to assess the situation following the incessant rainfall in and around Mangan District since Wednesday night, instructing them to carry out rescue and relief operations.

The officials said that mobile network services were affected in North Sikkim even as a request was made by the district administration to send an SDRF team with ration to Mangan.

The collapsed bailey bridge at Sangkalang, which was built after the massive social flood in the Teesta river in October last year, has once again severed critical connections. Authorities have advised stranded tourists to remain in their current locations until alternative road connectivity can be established for vehicle movement, officials said.

The Mangan district administration has started works with several agencies to expeditiously construct a bridge at Phidang to restore connectivity in the region.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, on June 14, chaired a high-level meeting at Mintokgang to address the natural calamity that has severely impacted the state. The disaster has caused extensive property damage and disrupted road connectivity, power supply, food supply, and mobile networks across multiple areas.

The meeting focused on strategising and coordinating response efforts to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and well-being of residents. Officials provided detailed briefings on the extent of the damages, highlighting critical road disruptions and immediate challenges faced by affected people.

They assessed damage to key roads and bridges essential for transportation and relief operations and provided updates on immediate relief measures, including the deployment of emergency services and distribution of essential supplies.

CM Tamang directed officials to closely monitor the situation and expedite the process of reestablishing connectivity and relief efforts. He emphasised the importance of continuous assessment of affected areas to identify and prioritise the most critical issues. He also appealed to the public to stay alert, follow safety guidelines, and cooperate with authorities.

The meeting was attended by Rural Development Department Minister Arun Upreti, Roads and Bridges Minister NB Dahal, RDD Advisor Kala Rai, Power Department Advisor Sanjeet Kharel, Land Revenue & Disaster Management Advisor LB Das, the Chief Secretary, DGP, and secretaries from various departments, along with other key officials.