NDRF team evacuates 34 people from landslide hit Chhaten by helicopters
Thirty-four people were evacuated from landslide hit Chhaten in North Sikkim on Tuesday, officials said.
Two MI-17 V5 helicopters completed the evacuation mission landing safely at Pakyong Airport near here with 34 people on board, officials said.
A team of 23 NDRF personnel has joined the operation to rescue six soldiers missing after a landslide hit an Army camp in North Sikkim.
The NDRF team is equipped with satellite phones and essential emergency equipment.
A landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall struck the Army camp at Chaten in Sikkim's Lachen area on Sunday at around 7 PM. Three personnel were killed, and four others were rescued with minor injuries.
Six other soldiers have been reported missing, officials added.
The NDRF team will aid in evacuation, rescue and the establishment of temporary communication lines.
The authorities have issued directives to explore alternate foot-access routes and assess the feasibility of helipad operations, depending on prevailing weather conditions.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
Sikkim: First batch of tourists from Chaten successfully evacuated at Pakyong Airport
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The evacuation of stranded tourists from Chaten has begun today at Pakyong Greenfield a release, the two MI 17 helicopters have successfully completed its first evacuation operation, transporting 39 evacuees from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Additionally, four passengers were safely evacuated using the Cheetah order to provide convenience to the tourists to commute to Siliguri, the Government of Sikkim has further arranged SNT buses for their MI-17 helicopter is on standby to assist in airlifting the stranded tourists to Bagdogra safely, ensuring support and safe transport are readily available for those in need, the release in support of the rescue efforts on the ongoing disaster in North Sikkim, the first sortie of the day, two MI-41 and MI-39, successfully departed from Pakyong Greenfield Airport towards Chaten early this to a release, the aircraft comprises nine personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), along with their equipment, to provide support for ongoing disaster a team from the Power Department, Government of Sikkim, and Airtel 's telecommunication services is also being airlifted. They are on a mission to restore essential services, including telecommunications and electricity, using satellite-based technologies and portable backup batteries in areas rendered inaccessible by per the release, a team of police personnel from the communication branch with essential equipment are also proceeding towards the affected areas to bridge the gap between isolation and service and restore normalcy in the lives of those to the persistent bad weather in the region, helicopter sorties from Pakyong Greenfield Airport were temporarily suspended, which delayed further evacuations. However, as the weather conditions improved, a mission was carried out with the deployment of two helicopters to assist in the evacuation of tourists stranded in deployment is to bolster on-the-ground initiatives in the remote region, where recent natural disruptions have significantly impacted access. The goal is to connect with isolated communities and facilitate the timely delivery of days of heavy rainfall have triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and rockfalls in many parts of the village, the region's leading tourism hub, has been completely cut off. On June 4, the Army established foot connectivity to the village and reached out to 113 stranded tourists, who will be evacuated June 3, nearly 30 tourists, including some foreign nationals, were successfully airlifted by military six individuals are still missing after the landslide struck a military camp in the Chatten area of North Sikkim.A rescuer from the army, who remains deployed at the spot of the landslide in Chatten that occurred on June 1, said that nine personnel have died in the incident. He added that the area had witnessed incessant rainfall from May 30, leading to a massive missing include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, Sepoy Sainudheen PK, Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd), wife of Lieutenant Colonel Sandhu, and their daughter Amayra Sandhu.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
In the line of duty: Army leads tireless search, rescue operations after landslides in North Sikkim
NEW DELHI: After the deadly landslide in North Sikkim's Chatten on June 1, the army is carrying out non-stop rescue and relief work, battling heavy rain, rough terrain, and growing uncertainty over the fate of those still missing. Lachen village, a popular tourist spot now completely cut off, has been reconnected by foot thanks to the army. Troops have reached 113 stranded tourists, and efforts to evacuate them are in progress, though bad weather remains a major hurdle. On June 3, 33 tourists, including 2 US nationals, were safely airlifted by military helicopters, from the rain battered Chaten region in the north Sikkim. Supplies and national disaster response force (NDRF) personnel were also air-dropped as part of emergency operations. However, an early morning attempt to evacuate the remaining tourists from Lachen was aborted due to poor visibility. An Mi-17 carrying nine NDRF personnel from Pakyong Airport was forced to turn back mid-air. Meanwhile, the army is advancing its search for six people who went missing after the landslide wiped out part of a military camp. A rescuer stationed in the area confirmed that nine personnel lost their lives in the disaster. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like BCP CFD: Tu oportunidad de ingresos extra principales inversores Leer más Undo 'Very, very heavy rains have been experienced in the area from May 30 onwards,' said the army personnel, deployed at the site. 'The rains were so heavy that a huge waterfall had been created due to the landslide on the other side of the mountain. This never existed before. We carried out certain precautionary evacuations," ANI quoted the official. However, nothing was anticipated on this side of the mountain, where 50-70 personnel were residing. Unfortunately, nature got the better of our nine personnel.' He added, 'In the last three days, we have mobilised all our resources and have been able to recover three of the remains. We are constantly searching for the six personnel who remain missing.' The missing include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, his wife Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd), their daughter Amayra Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, and Sepoy Sainudheen PK. Specialised search teams and engineering equipment have been deployed, but worsening weather, unstable soil, and the region's high-altitude terrain continue to hamper efforts. Authorities say rescue and relief operations will continue round-the-clock until all stranded individuals are brought to safety and the missing accounted for.
New Indian Express
a day ago
- New Indian Express
Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang holds high-level meeting to take stock of situation in landslide-hit Mangan
GANGTOK: Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday held a high-level meeting with senior state government officials to take stock of the situation in landslide-hit Mangan district. Three army personnel were killed and six soldiers went missing after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten. Several others were also injured. The landslide, which occurred at 7 pm on Sunday near Lachen town in Mangan district, was triggered by heavy rainfall in the area. "Today, I convened a high-level meeting with the chief secretary and senior officials from the Planning and Land & Revenue Departments to take stock of the concerning situation in Mangan district," he said in a social media post. "What is unfolding is truly heartbreaking. Our people are facing immense hardship due to this natural calamity and my heart goes out to every family affected," he said referring to large-scale destruction of road infrastructure due to landslides triggered by heavy rain in Mangan district. The chief minister said that he has directed all departments to act swiftly and in close coordination with the NDRF, SDRF, BRO, TAAS, and other agencies concerned to ensure that rescue and relief operations are carried out without delay. "Every possible effort is being made to reach those in need," he said. Tamang urged all residents and tourists not to panic as the state government is doing everything within its power to manage the situation and protect lives. "We are with you at every step, and we will not rest until safety and normalcy are restored," he said, while appealing for unity, strength, and cooperation from everyone. "Let us stand together as one family, and we will overcome this challenge with courage and compassion," he said. The state government has already declared the damage caused by incessant rainfall in Mangan district since May 28 as a "disaster" under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, according to an official statement. The declaration was issued by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
