The landslide occurred adjacent to the recently inaugurated Taram Chu bridge. While the bridge structure remained intact, the approach road caved in, rendering vehicular movement impossible and cutting off Lachen once again.

Evacuation efforts began on April 6 but gained momentum from April 8, concluding on April 9. The operation was carried out in phases from two fronts. Tourists were made to cross a temporary narrow footbridge constructed by the Indian Army near Taram Chu, from where Sikkim Nationalised Transport buses ferried them to Gangtok.

Simultaneously, stranded vehicles were diverted through the challenging Dongkyala route above Lachung.

This involved movement through the high-altitude Gurudongmar-Tso Lhamu-Dongkyala stretch, where snow and black ice had to be cleared by the BRO and GREF to enable safe passage. Army vehicles were deployed to tow civilian vehicles across difficult terrain.

So far, 135 tourists, along with 32 light vehicles and 10 motorcycles, have been evacuated, with priority given to medical emergencies. Fuel shortages were reported, with drivers depending on limited supplies provided by the Army.

Despite the disruption, stranded tourists appreciated the hospitality of Lachen residents, who provided food and accommodation free of cost during the crisis. However, many flagged the urgent need for improved road infrastructure and disaster mitigation measures in the Lachen-Gurudongmar belt to sustain tourism.

The evacuation was supervised by the District Collector, with coordination between the Army, BRO, Lachen Dzumsa, and tourism stakeholders. Minister-cum-Area MLA Samdup Lepcha was present at Taram Chu to oversee the transhipment of tourists and later thanked all agencies involved.

The Indian Army's Trishakti Corps under Eastern Command launched Operation Him Setu to restore access and assist evacuation efforts, working under severe weather conditions to open alternate routes.

The disruption comes just weeks after connectivity to Lachen was restored via the Taram Chu bridge. The 400-foot Bailey suspension steel bridge, constructed by the BRO, was inaugurated on February 26, 2026, by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth. The latest landslide occurred merely 38 days after its inauguration, once again severing the crucial link.

The bridge had reinstated access to Lachen on March 8, after the region remained cut off for over two years following the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood of October 3, 2023, which had washed away critical infrastructure along the route.

For residents of Lachen, the repeated disruptions continue to pose serious challenges. With limited stocks of essential supplies, no consistent road connectivity, and delayed emergency services due to reliance on longer alternate routes like Dongkyala, locals have endured prolonged hardship.

Earlier, on April 5, the Mangan district administration had issued a public advisory announcing the temporary closure of the Lachen axis due to a breach near the Taram Chu bridge, advising all tourists to remain in place amid adverse weather conditions.

While the evacuation of tourists has now been completed, Lachen remains cut off, with restoration work ongoing and the situation under close monitoring.

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