More than 2,000 local and foreign tourists have been stranded in India`s tourist province of Sikkim after incessant rains flooded roads. According to a report by news agency PTI, the road from Manga town in Sikkim to Chungthang has been submerged in rainwater, causing traffic disruption.
Officials of the state said that the tourists were stranded as the roads were flooded due to incessant rain since last Thursday. 345 four-wheelers and 11 two-wheelers have been stranded in different parts of Sikkim. The road cleaning work will start as soon as the rain stops.
Officials said 1,975 local and 36 foreign tourists were stranded in hotels in Lachen and Lachung areas due to continuous heavy rains. Among the foreign tourists, 23 are Bangladeshis, 10 are Americans and three are citizens of Singapore.
North Sikkim has been receiving heavy rainfall since last Thursday. As a result, nearby rivers overflowed causing flash floods and the Pegong highway was submerged under water. Local authorities are working to normalize the situation. They said that it will take some more time for the highway to return to normal traffic.
Officials also said 13 miles of the Gangtok-Nathula road was submerged. Apart from this, roads have been closed due to landslides in Raila Khola. Due to flash floods, the state government has canceled tourism permits for Somgo Lake, Baba Mandir Nathula and North Sikkim till further orders.
