63 evacuated from landslide-hit north Sikkim by helicopters, 64 others await rescue
GANGTOK: Altogether 63 stranded people, mostly tourists, were on Thursday evacuated by helicopters from Chaten in north Sikkim, which was hit by a landslide earlier this week, officials said.
Sixty-four other tourists are still waiting at Chaten to be rescued by the army and local administration.
The operation to rescue them was called off due to inclement weather and challenging terrains during the day, officials said.
Chaten is located near Lachen, a small town in Mangan district, which is used by travellers to reach Gurudangmar Lake which is a popular tourist destination.
Officials said that two MI-17 helicopters were used to evacuate 39 people from Chaten to Pakyong airport, officials said.
Four other people were evacuated in a Cheetah helicopter while an MI-17 chopper made a direct journey from Bagdogra in neighbouring West Bengal to Chaten, airlifting 20 passengers, they said.
Meanwhile, two MI-17 V5 helicopters are stationed at Pakyong airport for deployment in evacuation operation.
State government officials have also been in continuous coordination with the armed forces to safeguard lives and provide relief to the stranded people.
Three army personnel were killed, six soldiers went missing and several others were injured after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten on the evening of June 1.
Efforts are also on to find out the missing soldiers.
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Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
28 stranded people, 20 army personnel airlifted from landslide-hit Chaten in north Sikkim
At least 28 people, stranded at Chaten in north Sikkim, and 20 army personnel were airlifted on Sunday as the road connectivity in the region had been snapped due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain, officials said. A chopper evacuated 28 civilians, comprising minors, tourist taxi drivers and government officials, from Chaten in the first sortie, while 20 army personnel returned to Pakyong Greenfield Airport in another trip, they said. The MI-17 helicopter also transported essential supplies for Indian Army personnel stationed at Chaten, the officials said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted. Undo The state government arranged the helicopter to provide immediate relief and safe evacuation of those affected by the landslides in the region after getting a distress call from them, they added. "The state government arranged a helicopter and successfully evacuated 28 people, including three minors. Twenty army personnel also returned here in a helicopter sortie," one of the officials said. Live Events All evacuees have landed safely at Pakyong Greenfield Airport, he said. This comes under the ongoing coordinated relief and evacuation efforts being undertaken in view of the recent adverse conditions that have disrupted road connectivity and access to the region, he said. The helicopter sortie had begun this morning from the airport here with the first one taking off towards Chaten to initiate the evacuation process, another official said. The state government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens in disaster-affected regions, the officials said. North Sikkim has been hit by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain, disrupting road and telecommunication connectivity there. Around 2,000 tourists had also been stranded in north Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang towns due to inclement weather conditions for days before being evacuated by road and air in rescue operations earlier this week. Three army personnel were killed, four injured, and six others went missing after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten on the evening of June 1. Efforts are underway to locate the missing soldiers.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
28 stranded people, 20 army personnel airlifted from landslide-hit Chaten in north Sikkim
Gangtok, At least 28 people, stranded at Chaten in north Sikkim, and 20 army personnel were airlifted on Sunday as the road connectivity in the region had been snapped due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain, officials said. A chopper evacuated 28 civilians, comprising minors, tourist taxi drivers and government officials, from Chaten in the first sortie, while 20 army personnel returned to Pakyong Greenfield Airport in another trip, they said. The MI-17 helicopter also transported essential supplies for Indian Army personnel stationed at Chaten, the officials said. The state government arranged the helicopter to provide immediate relief and safe evacuation of those affected by the landslides in the region after getting a distress call from them, they added. "The state government arranged a helicopter and successfully evacuated 28 people, including three minors. Twenty army personnel also returned here in a helicopter sortie," one of the officials said. All evacuees have landed safely at Pakyong Greenfield Airport, he said. This comes under the ongoing coordinated relief and evacuation efforts being undertaken in view of the recent adverse conditions that have disrupted road connectivity and access to the region, he said. The helicopter sortie had begun this morning from the airport here with the first one taking off towards Chaten to initiate the evacuation process, another official said. The state government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens in disaster-affected regions, the officials said. North Sikkim has been hit by multiple landslides triggered by heavy rain, disrupting road and telecommunication connectivity there. Around 2,000 tourists had also been stranded in north Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang towns due to inclement weather conditions for days before being evacuated by road and air in rescue operations earlier this week. Three army personnel were killed, four injured, and six others went missing after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten on the evening of June 1. Efforts are underway to locate the missing soldiers.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Kedarnath: Chopper with 6 pilgrims crash-lands in Rudraprayag; all safe
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