Sikkim reels under nature’s fury as relentless rains trigger landslides; Indian Army, NDRF, and State agencies launch one of the largest coordinated rescue operations in recent times, evacuating over 1,600 stranded people
Gangtok: In a dramatic and high-risk operation amidst relentless rains and collapsing terrain, 76 Indian Army personnel trapped in a deadly landslide near Chaten in Sikkim were successfully airlifted by MI-17 helicopters, officials confirmed on Saturday. The landslide, triggered by torrential downpours, had cut off access to the area, isolating not just soldiers but hundreds of civilians across North Sikkim.
"Three MI-17 helicopters were deployed to carry out the evacuation of all 76 stranded soldiers. The operation was completed today, with personnel moved from Chaten to the Pakyong Greenfield Airport,"
— said an official involved in the mission.
The situation was no less than a nightmare. Sikkim's mountains buckled under days of heavy rainfall, unleashing multiple landslides that snapped road links and communication lines. As a result, over 1,600 tourists were stranded in Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang, posing a severe humanitarian crisis.
In what is being called a “war-like rescue mission”, elite units from the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Mangan district administration came together to combat nature’s wrath. Their efforts over the past few days led to the successful evacuation of both stranded tourists and locals.
“The state government is closely monitoring the overall situation and is committed to providing all necessary support in the disaster-hit area and helping those affected by natural calamities,”
— said a senior state official.
Tragically, the disaster also claimed the lives of three Army personnel, with four others injured and six still missing after a separate landslide hit an army camp in Chaten on the evening of June 1. Search operations are ongoing to locate the missing soldiers, and the Army has pledged not to rest until every comrade is accounted for.
“We have deployed several helicopters to assist in the airlifting of over 140 tourists. The safety of every citizen and jawan is our top priority,”
— a defence spokesperson stated.
This natural calamity has once again raised pressing concerns about Sikkim’s fragile geography, emergency infrastructure, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Himalayan region.
With rescue operations successfully completed and the state entering a phase of relief and recovery, questions remain on long-term solutions and disaster preparedness.
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