Successful Airlift of Army Personnel Concludes Rescue Operations in North Sikkim

Rescue Operations Conclude in North Sikkim

Gangtok, June 7: A total of 76 army personnel were airlifted from Chaten on Saturday, marking the successful conclusion of extensive rescue efforts in the disaster-affected region of North Sikkim. The operation utilized three MI-17 helicopters, culminating a multi-agency initiative that involved days of tireless search and rescue operations in areas impacted by landslides.

Officials reported that the personnel were evacuated from Chaten, one of the most severely affected locations, to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. This operation followed the earlier airlift of over 140 tourists who had been stranded in Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang due to multiple landslides caused by heavy rainfall that disrupted vital roadways and infrastructure.

"The coordinated evacuation efforts have now been completed successfully. All tourists and stranded army personnel have been rescued safely," confirmed an official.

The state government remains vigilant and is actively monitoring the situation in North Sikkim. A senior government official stated, "We are dedicated to providing all necessary assistance to the affected communities and restoring normalcy in the region."

This evacuation was a collaborative effort involving the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the local administration of Mangan district. Multiple helicopters were deployed to navigate the challenging terrain, facilitating the air rescue of both tourists and local residents.

Tragically, the disaster has not been without loss. On June 1, a significant landslide hit a military camp in Chaten, resulting in the deaths of three army personnel, with four others injured and six still unaccounted for. Ongoing efforts are focused on locating and recovering the missing soldiers.

With the air evacuations now finalized, the focus is shifting towards rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and ensuring ongoing support for the local communities.