The Indian Army successfully rescued around 3,500 tourists who were stranded in North Sikkim due to landslides and roadblocks triggered by heavy rainfall. The incident occurred after Sikkim's Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang valleys experienced torrential rain, leading to the blockade of the Mangan to Chungthang road at Pegong Supply Khola and severe disruption of vehicular traffic.
Responding swiftly to the crisis, troops from the Trishakti Corps, along with personnel from the Border Roads Organisation, worked relentlessly in challenging weather conditions to carry out the rescue mission. Despite heavy rain and inclement weather, the collective efforts of these teams resulted in the successful evacuation of stranded tourists.
To facilitate the rescue operation, a temporary crossing was constructed over the flash flood area, enabling the tourists to safely cross the river. The rescued individuals were provided with essential amenities, including hot meals, lodging, and medical support to ensure their well-being.
By 3 pm on, more than 2,000 tourists had been successfully rescued. Among them were 36 foreign tourists who were stranded in hotels located in Lachen and Lachung, which are known as gateways to several picturesque destinations in the region.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Northeast India, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Sikkim over the next five days. With this prediction in mind, efforts are ongoing to restore road connectivity in the affected areas, while the evacuation of stranded tourists remains a top priority.