North Sikkim Landslides: 76 Army Personnel Airlifted From Landslide-Hit Chaten

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Saturday (7 June) airlifted 76 army personnel from Chaten in North Sikkim, where multiple landslides caused by heavy rain had cut off road access, reported news agency PTI.

This operation marks the completion of coordinated evacuation efforts, which also included the earlier rescue of all stranded tourists.

"Altogether 76 army personnel were airlifted by three MI-17 helicopters. The air evacuation operation from Chaten has concluded today with the helicopters transporting army personnel from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport," an officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

The state government is continuously monitoring the situation as heavy rain had triggered multiple landslides in north Sikkim recently, disrupting road connectivity in the region.

More than 1,600 tourists were left stranded in the towns of Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang for days due to the landslides in north Sikkim. These tourists were later rescued by the state government.

All stranded tourists and locals were successfully evacuated after days of rescue and search efforts by the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Mangan district government.

More than 140 tourists were airlifted by several helicopters.

Earlier on 1 June, three army personnel were killed, four injured and six others went missing after a landslide hit a military camp at Chaten.

Efforts are underway to locate the missing soldiers.