June 16, 2024 2:13 PM.
In the wake of heavy rainfall and landslides, efforts are being made today to evacuate more than 1,200 domestic and 15 foreign tourists stranded in Lachung and Chungthang in Mangan District.
The District Collector of Mangan, Hem Kumar Chettri, informed All India Radio that while airlifting the stranded tourists is currently not possible due to poor weather conditions and road connectivity is also blocked at many places. However, he informed that all tourists are safe in their hotels. Mr. Chettri assured that once the weather permits, they will ensure the safe return of tourists.
Efforts were made on Sunday to evacuate around 2,000 tourists including 15 foreigners stranded in Lachung and Chungthang in Mangan District through airlift and roadways under the supervision of State Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Tshering Thendup Bhutia. However, it could not be implemented due to bad weather condition and road blocks from the landslides. Mangan District Collector Hem Kumar Chettri told Akashvani News that all the stranded tourists are safely placed at hotels as airlifting of them is currently impossible due to poor weather conditions and road connectivity also blocked at many places. He also said that once the weather condition permits, all possible arrangements will be made to ensure for safe return of the tourists. The incessant rains and landslides in the State have so far claimed nine lives and left around 2,000 tourists stranded in Mangan district.
As a part of the relief measures, ex-gratia of four lakh rupees each has been disbursed to the next of kin of the deceased through concerned area legislators. Adequate rations have been put in stock to provide relief to the affected people of the district. Power and telecommunications, water supply and the basic essentials have been restored in most parts of the region as well.
On Saturday, a high-level delegation from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways met with the senior officials of the Roads and Bridges Department of State Government at Rangpo.