Gangtok, April 6 -- The Chungthang-Lachen road in North Sikkim has been blocked after heavy rains washed away the entire road formation near Taramchu on Sunday. The breach has cut off the only motorable link to the popular tourist spot of Lachen. Tourists heading to Lachen are being diverted via the Donkiala-Lachung route, while those already in Lachen remain stranded.

The Mangan District Administration issued an advisory asking tourists in Lachen to stay indoors overnight on April 5 for safety. Evacuation is scheduled to begin on the morning of April 6 via the alternate high-altitude route: Lachen - Dongkya La - Lachung - Gangtok.

Snow clearance work is underway on a war footing. A joint team of District Administration, Police, ITBP, B...