Indian Army Rescues 500 Tourists Stranded Due To Landslides In North Sikkim — IN PICS

Three tourist destinations in North Sikkim witnessed heavy torrential rains on Friday, which led to heavy landslides in Chungthang in Mangan district, thus blocking the main road. Due to the landslides around 500 tourists, who were traveling to Lachung and Lachen Valley, were stranded at Chungthang.

At the request of the district administration, the troops of the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army immediately swung into action and rescued the stranded tourists. The stranded tourists, including 216 men, 113 women, and 54 children, were soon shifted to three different Army camps and were provided with hot meals and warm clothing.

The Army soldiers vacated their own barracks to accommodate the tourists and make them feel comfortable for the night. At least three medical teams immediately checked the health condition of all the tourists.

An initial medical check by the Army medical team found all the tourists to be stable. However, at midnight, one woman, who had visited the Gurudongmar Lake during the day, complained of severe headache and dizziness. The medical team, including a female medical officer, from a nearby field hospital, rushed to the camp and thoroughly checked the patient and detected signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). The patient was provided immediate medical care and was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in the hospital. By Saturday morning, the patient was stable.

 Meanwhile, efforts are on to clear the road for vehicular traffic at the earliest. 

The Indian Army will be providing the stranded tourists with all assistance until the route is cleared for their further journey.

The Indian Army, while guarding the borders in the super high-altitudes of the Himalayas, also provides assistance to tourists and the local population. The quick response by the soldiers averted the occurrence of any mishap as well as gave shelter to the stranded tourists for the night.