Over 1,200 Tourists Stranded In North Sikkim By Landslides Rescued — WATCH

As of Wednesday, a few hundred tourists remained stranded and efforts were afoot to rescue them, weather-permitting.

More than 1,200 tourists who were stranded in Sikkim's Mangan district by a series of landslides were rescued on Tuesday, the second day of the operation, from Lachung and nearby areas. The tourists had been stranded since June 12-13. The landslides, which followed heavy rain, left at least six people dead last week. The Army said on Wednesday that troops of the Trishakti Corps, as well as the civil administration, are carrying out the rescue operation in north Sikkim.

Sixty-four tourists were rescued on Monday, the first day of the operation, and brought them to the district headquarters in Mangan.  

As of Wednesday, a few hundred tourists remained stranded and efforts were afoot to rescue them, weather-permitting. Six helicopters are on standby at Bagdogra airport in neighbouring West Bengal, Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vishnu Lama told PTI.

According to an ANI report, the tourists are being moved on foot and by vehicles where the connectivity has not been affected by the landslides.

The signalers of the Indian Army also helped BSNL and Airtel restore mobile connectivity on Tuesday, the news agency quoted an Army statement as saying.

"Since June 12, the Indian Army installed more than half a dozen telephone booths to facilitate locals and tourists connecting with their relatives," the statement said, as quoted by ANI.

The statement further mentioned that the medical team has set up booths for residents and tourists. So far, over 115 people have received medical attention, including a lifesaving emergency response for a 24-year-old at Lachung suffering from High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

The district administration said it is vigilant and prepared to cater to the needs of the remaining tourists and deal with any challenges.

On Tuesday, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MP Indra Hang Subba, Sikkim's lone Lok Sabha MP, held a meeting with officials of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and its General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) over the damage caused by landslides and rains in the state.

The rescued tourists expressed gratitude towards the state government, Mangan administration, other agencies and the local people for taking care of them while they were holed up at various places and bringing them to safety.