Indian Army Rescues Over 3,000 Tourists Stranded In North Sikkim Due To Heavy Rain

Indian Army rescued more than 3,000 tourists stranded in several regions of the North Sikkim district due to road blockades following incessant rainfall for the last three days.

Indian Army personnel were seen carrying out a rescue operation after a chunk of road washed away due to heavy rains and landslides that left tourists stranded in Chungthang. ( Image Source :PTI )

Indian Army rescued more than 3,500 tourists on Saturday, who were stranded in North Sikkim due to landslides triggered by torrential rains, an official said in a statement. All these tourists, including 60 college students, were stranded in the Lachen and Lachung regions of North Sikkim district due to road blockades following incessant rainfall for the last three days, officials said on Saturday, as reported by news agency PTI. Amid this, a bridge near Chungthang in North Sikkim has also washed away due to heavy rains, said the defence PRO at Guwahati Lt. Col. Mahendra Rawaat, reported news agency IANS.

Rawaat, as quoted by IANS, said "Troops of Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army and personnel of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) swung into action and worked overnight in Chungthang amid heavy rains.”

He further said the officers created a temporary crossing over the area affected by flash floods to facilitate the rescue of tourists amid the inclement weather. Officials of the Indian Army extended support to tourists to cross over the river and also provided them with meals, lodging, and medical support.

"Over 2,000 tourists have been rescued till 3 PM on Saturday. Efforts are on to restore road connectivity. The evacuation of tourists would continue," said Rawaat. He also added that tents and medical aid posts had been set up for the stranded tourists.

However, the number of tourists, who were rescued and assisted by troops of the Trishakti Corps increased to 3,500 tourists near Chungthang in North Sikkim later on Saturday, said Indian Army.

Troops of Trishakti Corps assisted about 3500 tourists near Chungthang in North Sikkim stranded due to heavy rains leading to landslides & washing away of the bridge on 16 June. Indian Army, along with BRO, established a footbridge over the river in full spate &… pic.twitter.com/19NgZH0wrN

— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2023

Rawaat stated that the tourists will be provided with all assistance until the route is cleared for their further journey.

The district administration in areas such as Lachen and Lachung of North Sikkim district pressed into service 19 buses and 70 smaller vehicles to evacuate all the stranded tourists after the road blockades due to the incessant rain.

So far, three buses and two other vehicles with 123 tourists departed from the state capital Gangtok.

Personnel from the Quick Reaction Team of the District Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim Police, GREF, BRO, ITBP, Army, and Travel Agency Association Sikkim are working together in the ongoing evacuation operation of stranded tourists, said officials. Incessant rains have blocked the roads at various points and the restoration works will start only after the rain stops.