The Indian Army was able to rescue almost 400 tourists stuck in the upper stretches of Sikkim. These tourists were left stranded in the Chumthang region of the state because of heavy landslides.
According to reports, these tourists were on their way to the Lachung and Lachen valleys of the state. These localities are quite popular among tourists as they serve as halting points for tourists traveling to several high-altitude destinations of Sikkim.
They were stuck in Chumthang as torrential rains in Lachen, Lachung and Chumthang. The rains triggered multiple small and large landslides which led to the closure of the roads. Under the request of SDM Chumtang, the troops with the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army mounted the rescue mission. The rescue operation ensured that no tourists suffered under adverse weather conditions.
A total of 216 males, 113 females and 54 children were rescued from Chumthang. They were shifted to three separate camps in the vicinity of the incident. The soldiers arranged for hot meals and warm clothing for the rescued people. Some of the soldiers even vacated their barracks for the night to make space for the civilians.
Three medical teams were also created to ensure that all the rescued people are in proper health. Someone who had visited Gurudongmar Lake a few hours earlier complained of headache and dizziness. The medical team detected signs of Acute Mountain Sickness and took the necessary medical care.
Efforts are currently underway to clear the debris from the road. It is essential to clear the roads for regular vehicular movement.
Indian Army is known to rescue the tourists and locals of the region from time to time. Landslides are a common occurrence in these treacherous terrains during the monsoons. Although warnings are issued every year, some tourists find themselves in this condition every year.
