Officials rescue 1,225 tourists amid heavy rain, landslides in northeastern India
by Aditi VermaOn its second day of rescue operations, the northeastern India’s Sikkim administration successfully evacuated 1,225 tourists following severe landslides and heavy rainfall.
The incident took place at Mangan District on June 18.
Visuals showed the rescue team was expertly and carefully guiding the stranded tourists along the rugged mountain paths. The route appeared quite challenging, but everyone was managing to traverse it with difficulty yet determination.
The Sikkim administration has been actively engaged in rescue operations after multiple landslides and heavy rains struck the region last week, causing significant disruptions and casualties.
On Tuesday, June 18th, a substantial effort led to the evacuation of 1,225 tourists from Lachung and nearby areas of the Mangan district. These tourists had been stranded since June 12th and 13th.
The rescue operations, which commenced on June 17th, have been facilitated by the Trishakti Corps troops, playing a pivotal role in supporting the civil authorities. According to a PRO Defence statement, the tourists have been transported by foot or vehicle wherever road conditions allowed, due to numerous landslides blocking regular routes.
Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Vishnu Lama confirmed the successful evacuation, stating, “We have evacuated 1,225 tourists from Lachung and surrounding regions and brought them to Mangan town by road today.” The operation was made possible after the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored connectivity between Chungthang and Mangan via a newly constructed bridge at Toong over the Teesta River.
With weather conditions permitting, the remaining few hundred tourists are expected to be evacuated by Wednesday. In response to the ongoing safety concerns, including property damage and road blockages, the Mangan district administration has ordered the immediate closure of all government schools in the district. This measure aims to ensure the safety of students amidst the challenging conditions.