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Key Points

In response to severe rain-induced landslides and flooding in Sikkim, MI-17 helicopters successfully air evacuated 34 individuals from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Earlier, a combined effort by local authorities and agencies led to the evacuation of over 1,670 tourists from other affected areas. With roads and bridges damaged, operations continue under the coordination of the district administration. Despite the challenges, dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of tourists and locals.

Key Points: Sikkim MI-17 Helicopters Rescue 34 Stranded in Chaten Evacuation

  • MI-17 helicopters evacuate 34 from Chaten
  • Sikkim rain triggers landslides affecting tourists
  • Over 1,670 tourists safely evacuated so far
2 min read

Sikkim: Rescue mission underway, stranded individuals evacuated from Chaten

MI-17 helicopters airlift 34 from Chaten amid Sikkim's rain-triggered evacuations.

"The district administration is working tirelessly to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike. - C Subhakar Rao"

Chaten, June 3

In a successful rescue operation, a group of 34 stranded individuals, including injured Army personnel, their family members, and tourists, were air evacuated from Chaten and safely landed at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. The evacuation mission was carried out by two MI-17 V5 helicopters, marking a crucial step in providing relief to those affected, as per the Government of Sikkim.

Meanwhile, on June 2, Stranded tourists in Lachung were actively evacuated through a coordinated effort involving the police, residents, forest personnel, and the Lachung Hotel Association. Gyatso Lachungpa, president of the Lachung Hotel Association, is leading the evacuation operation on the ground with support from the local administration.

On Sunday, Mangan district Superintendent of Police Dechu Bhutia said that over a thousand tourists were stranded in Lachen and Lachung in Mangan District due to the rains inducing landslides, bridge collapse and damage along with a high rise of the River Teesta.

Earlier, on June 2, the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department of Sikkim announced that the Chungthang-Phidang road in Mangan District has been restored, allowing for the safe evacuation of stranded tourists to commence.

The evacuation operation is being carried out under the close supervision of the District Police and Administration, with active involvement from various agencies, including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Fire and Medical Teams, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS), Indian Himalayan Centre for Adventure and Eco-tourism (IHCAE) Chemchey, Driver Association, along with the support of local volunteers and others.

"According to information from the District Collector's Office and Tourism Department, approximately 1,670 tourists have been evacuated from various areas in Sikkim. The evacuation efforts are ongoing, with the district administration working tirelessly to ensure the safety of tourists and locals alike", said C Subhakar Rao, Additional Chief Secretary of Tourism, Civil and Aviation Department.

Incessant rainfall and a cloudburst in northern Sikkim on the night of May 30-31 triggered widespread devastation, severely damaging critical roads and bridges. The River Teesta surged by 35-40 feet, snapping regional connectivity.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Kudos to our armed forces and local administration for this swift rescue operation! Sikkim's terrain is challenging, and evacuating people in such conditions is no small feat. The coordination between Army, ITBP, BRO and local volunteers shows India's disaster response capabilities. 🙏
P
Priya M.
While the rescue efforts are commendable, we need better infrastructure in Himalayan states to prevent such situations. Climate change is making extreme weather more frequent - our border states need resilient roads and early warning systems. Hope the government allocates funds for this.
A
Amit S.
The Teesta river swelling 35-40 feet is terrifying! My cousin was among those rescued from Lachung. Big salute to the local hotel association and police who worked day and night. This shows how community effort can save lives during disasters. #SikkimStrong
N
Neha T.
Tourists should be more responsible during monsoon season in the mountains. Many ignore weather warnings just for Instagram photos. Our rescue teams risk their lives because of such recklessness. Need stricter regulations during peak monsoon months.
S
Sanjay R.
The BRO engineers deserve special recognition for restoring the Chungthang-Phidang road so quickly. These unsung heroes keep our border areas connected despite nature's fury. Jai Hind!
K
Kavita P.
As someone who frequently visits Sikkim, I'm concerned about the ecological impact of such disasters. The Teesta is vital for the region's ecosystem. Hope the government considers sustainable development plans that work with nature, not against it.

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