At least 10 people have lost their lives in India and neighbouring Nepal due to severe rainfall, landslides and flooding in Himalayan regions.
Prem Singh Tamang, chief minister of the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim, took stock of the situation in regions witnessing massive devastation due to incessant rains and landlines.
More than 1,200 tourists, including 15 foreigners, were stranded as massive landslides triggered by rainfall caused devastation in northern Sikkim's Mangan district, an official said on Friday (Jun 14).
Landslides and heavy rain damaged properties and disrupted road connectivity, power and food supplies and mobile networks in several areas.
While speaking on the situation, Sikkim Chief Secretary cum Cabinet Secretary and Finance Secretary Vijay Bhushan Pathak said, "Around 1,200-1,400 tourists may be stranded in Lachung of North Sikkim. The road connectivity has been disrupted in many places."
"It will take around 5-6 days to restore connectivity. We have requested to Air Force for helicopters and as soon as the weather improves, the evacuation of stranded tourists will be initiated," he added.
Tamang had also chaired a high-level meeting in Mintokgang to discuss the situation, an official said as reported by the news agency PTI.
Sikkim Tourism & Civil Aviation Department's Principal Secretary CS Rao said in a statement: "As per the ground report, around 1,200 domestic and 15 foreign tourists (Thailand:2, Nepal:3, Bangladesh:10) are stranded in Lachung, Mangan district, due to road blockages caused by heavy rainfall and landslides."
Rao added that the local authorities have requested the stranded tourists to stay put in their respective places and avoid taking risks.
He further noted that there is adequate stock of food supplies and rations to cater to all the stranded tourists.
The office of the chief secretary has already initiated talks with the Centre for airlifting of all the tourists, depending on the weather conditions, he said.
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