Sikkim sees record number of tourists, CM urges people not to travel amid landslides
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday urged people not to travel in the wake of landslides as the state witnessed a record number of tourists during the Durga Puja holiday. Officials of the tourism department said that more than 22,000 domestic tourists and 651 foreign travelers visited the state during the last week. At present, an average of 5,000 tourists are entering Sikkim every day, he said, adding that this would soon double. The increase was registered after the state government withdrew all COVID-related restrictions and reopened its borders.
The government has taken several measures to encourage tourism this festive season to make up for the financial loss incurred last year. Officials said the two-month lockdown during the peak season last year had resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 500-700 crore.
He said that about one-fourth of the state’s population is dependent on tourism, which generates annual revenue of Rs 4,000-5,000 crore. Though road connectivity has been snapped at many places in the state due to landslides in the last three days, the chief minister urged people to avoid travelling.
Tamang said, “In the last few days, Sikkim has received incessant rains, leading to landslides in many parts of the state, leading to blockages at many places. I am in constant touch with the line departments and are in close touch with the prevailing situation. I’m monitoring.”
“To avoid any untoward incident, I appeal to all our citizens to refrain from traveling under these circumstances and pray for their safety,” he said. Officials said that Sikkim’s lifeline National Highway 10 is currently blocked and the road is waiting to be cleared. He said vehicles are currently being diverted through narrow and long alternate routes.
Officials said the rains have caused heavy damage to crops and destroyed paddy plantations in many parts of the state.
Read also: Packaged mineral water banned in Sikkim from January 1
Read also: Landslide cuts off Sikkim from rest of India, cleanup work underway
.