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Indian Express
13 hours ago
- Indian Express
Sikkim lanslide: 63 stranded tourists airlifted in 2 batches, 15 still missing
In a concerted effort to ensure the safety of tourists amidst challenging weather conditions, the government of Sikkim successfully airlifted 63 stranded tourists from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport on Thursday, officials said. Landslides and flash floods caused by heavy rain since May 29 have left thousands of tourists stranded. According to officials more than 1,800 tourists have been rescued from Sikkim till now and two batches were evacuated on Thursday. According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the relief operations in Sikkim continued with the IAF employing four MI-17 and two Cheetah helicopters into service, through which they were able to reach the isolated and severely affected areas of Chaten. The helicopters also delivered 6,000 kg of relief material in 22 sorties, providing critical aid to stranded civilians, service personnel, and foreigners in the landslide-affected area. Chaten is located near Lachen, a small town in Mangan district, which is used by travellers to reach Gurudongmar Lake, which is a popular tourist destination. Sonam Detchu Bhutia, Superintendent of Police (SP), Mangan district, in North Sikkim while speaking with The Indian Express, 'Rescue operations are ongoing and 63 tourists are still stranded in Sikkim. The total number of missing persons stands at 15, comprising six army personnel and nine civilians.' SP Bhutia said that efforts to locate the six missing army personnel after the landslide at the military camp have been unsuccessful. 'Those who are missing post that incident are feared to have gotten buried in the debris, which was flown away by the river, hence it has not been possible to rescue them,' he said. Officials said the initial evacuation on Thursday saw two MI-17 helicopters transport 39 evacuees and a Cheetah helicopter transport four others from Chaten to Pakyong, after which 20 more tourists, including foreign nationals, were carried in the second phase to the Pakyong Greenfield Airport. For the first phase, following their arrival at Pakyong, the state government arranged Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) buses to facilitate their onward commute to Siliguri. An MI-17 helicopter was also placed on standby for tourists preferring air transit to Bagdogra. For the second batch, SNT buses have been arranged for a commute to Gangtok, while a separate MI-17 helicopter sortie was organised for those opting to travel to Bagdogra. 'The state government continues to prioritise the safety and comfort of tourists during these unprecedented weather conditions,' read a statement issued by the Government of Sikkim. According to a senior Sikkim police official, the roads are clear up to Mangan, but the Mangan-Chungthang stretch is in poor condition, and authorities have advised against travel on the route. Additionally, Lachen remains cut off from the rest of the district, hindering rescue and relief operations. Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics. With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences. Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
India.com
17 hours ago
- India.com
All Tourist Destinations In Sikkim, Except Lachen And Lachung, Open: State Tourism Department
The Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Government of Sikkim, has confirmed that, except for Lachen and Lachung in Chungthang Sub-Division of Mangan district, all other tourist destinations across the state remain open and safe for visitors. Speaking to the media, Additional Chief Secretary CS Rao clarified that permits to Lachen and Lachung are currently suspended due to road damage caused by recent landslides. However, he emphasised that Sikkim offers over 200 tourist destinations, with only around 25-30 of them located in the affected Mangan district. The remaining destinations across Sikkim's other five districts are fully accessible and continue to receive many visitors. Despite the temporary restrictions, the state has not witnessed any decline in tourist footfall. Many tourists who had initially planned to visit Gurudongmar Lake or Yumthang Valley have now diverted their trips to destinations like Yuksom, Kecheopalri Lake, and Pelling in the west, which remain unaffected and equally attractive. Rao also highlighted the state's ongoing evacuation efforts, mentioning that around 65 tourists were successfully airlifted from Lachen with the help of the Indian Army and paramilitary forces. Approximately 63 more are expected to be rescued by tomorrow, ensuring full evacuation from the affected region. The tourism department reassures all stakeholders and visitors that tourist safety and comfort remain a top priority. "Only a small portion of North Sikkim is affected. The rest of the state is safe and welcoming," Rao stressed, urging tourists not to cancel their travel plans and to continue visiting Sikkim. Meanwhile, the evacuation of stranded tourists from Chaten has begun today at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. According to 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 Helicopter. In order to provide convenience to the tourists to commute to Siliguri, the Government of Sikkim has further arranged SNT buses for their ease.
The Print
a day ago
- The Print
Rescue ops begin in Sikkim, first batch of stranded tourists successfully evacuated from Chaten
In order to provide convenience to the tourists to commute to Siliguri, the Government of Sikkim has further arranged SNT buses for their ease. According 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 Helicopter. Pakyong (Sikkim) : The evacuation of stranded tourists from Chaten has begun today at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Additionally, 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 said. Meanwhile, 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 morning. According 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 relief. Likewise, 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 road. As 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 affected. Due 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 Lachen. The 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 aid. Several days of heavy rainfall have triggered landslides, mudslides, flash floods, and rockfalls in many parts of the state. Lachen 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 soon. On June 3, nearly 30 tourists, including some foreign nationals, were successfully airlifted by military helicopters. Meanwhile, 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 landslide. The 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. This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. Also read: Sikkim's accession to India has 6 stories. And 3 strong-willed women
Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- 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.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Sikkim: Stranded tourists, family members of army personnel airlifted
Kolkata: At least 34 people, including stranded tourists and family members of army personnel, were airlifted from Chaten in North Sikkim and brought to Pakyong on Tuesday, officials said adding that search operations to trace the missing persons continued during the day. However, till reports last came in, there was no trace of the six persons, including a Lt Col and his family, who went missing after a landslide hit an army camp at Chaten in North Sikkim late Sunday evening. Search operations also continued near Munshithang in North Sikkim where nine tourists went missing after the vehicle, in which they were travelling, plunged into the River Teesta on May 29. 'Two MI-17 V5 helicopters airlifted 34 stranded individuals from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Among those rescued were seven family members of Army personnel and 27 tourists. Injured personnel were also onboard and are currently receiving necessary medical treatment. This was the first successful aerial evacuation carried out under the current emergency response plan,' said the statement issued by the Sikkim government. While around 1,800 stranded tourists were rescued from Lachung on Monday, around 130 tourists were stranded at Lachen. The Indian Army's 112 Brigade established a foot route between Lachen and Chaten. Stranded tourists from Lachen were brought to Chaten from where they were airlifted along with family members of army personnel. 'The state government has outlined a strategic evacuation plan whereby tourists from Lachen will be moved to Chaten via the foot route and subsequently airlifted, depending on weather conditions,' said the statement. On Tuesday, a 23-member team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), equipped with hi-tech gadgets to carry out search and rescue operations, reached Chaten where police and army were already carrying out search operations. Three bodies were recovered on Monday. 'The NDRF team from Pakyong airport reached Chaten by helicopters at 8 am and started a search and rescue operation along with army and police,' said Arun Thatal, sub-divisional officer of Chungthang in Mangan district. On Tuesday, the Sikkim government declared the damages caused by incessant rain in Mangan district from May 28 as a disaster under section 22 (2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Police on Monday said among those missing were Lt Col Pritpal Sandhu, his wife Squadron Leader (retd) Arati B Sandhu and their daughter Amaria Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer Singh, Sepoy Sainudheen PK and Sepoy Sunilal Muchahary. The three deceased were identified as Havildar Lakhwindar Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and porter Abhishek Lakhada.
