Troops of Indian Army along with other agencies and Civil Administration facilitated the evacuation of tourists by Indian Air Force Helicopters from North Sikkim on 10th October 2023.
A total of 156 tourists were evacuated by air on the second day. After the initial sorties, the weather packed up and further evacuation had to be called off. On the previous day i.e. 9th Oct 23, a total of 518 tourists were evacuated by helicopters. Thus, a total of 674 tourists have been evacuated by air so far from North Sikkim out of the approximate 1700 tourists stranded there.
Meanwhile, troops of Trishakti Corps Indian Army, ITBP, BRO, NDRF, State Disaster Management Authority, other government agencies and locals are undertaking number of actions to restore connectivity to areas isolated after the flash floods.
At Chungthang, the area worst affected by the flash flood, troops of Indian Army and BRO cleared the sludge on the road through the town. A Log bridge was completed with the help of ITBP and locals. More than 500 people have crossed over the log bridge. Some tourists from Lachung also walked on foot and crossed over the log bridge. Engineers of Indian Army are carrying out improvement/ strengthening of the foot bridge.
A team of Indian Army moved through extremely difficult terrain and inclement weather and assisted the 11 civilians isolated there with immediate food and medical aid. A helipad was created and warriors of Army Aviation flew under challenging condition and rescued the 11 civilians to Chaten. Simultaneously, efforts are on, to rescue 11 more civilians that were located by the team of Indian Army troops yesterday and food was left behind by the troops for the stranded civilians till evacuation by air is carried out.
Another party of Indian Army is undertaking operations through difficult terrain under inclement weather and have opened a foot track to the isolated village of Rabom. The troops had reached Rabom village on 9th Oct and provided immediate aid to the 245 civilians stranded there. This includes 191 Males, 39 females, and 15 Children. Out of these, 129 persons are of Kundan Hydel power project. Their Project Executive Head Mr Ashish Kumar Rangda reached Rabom from Chungthang on foot track made by the Indian Army troops. All the personnel of the Hydel power project, less six persons, de-inducted through the route created by the Indian Army. Balance 116 are locals including two government employees of Animal Husbandry Department. The troops have also created a helipad at Rabom.
Signallers of Indian Army and BSNL staff worked 24×7 over past five days and restored OFC connectivity to Lachung valley on 9th Oct. In circle roaming has been activated and other users of Airtel & Jio are also able to speak now. Efforts are on, to restore mobile connectivity in the Lachen valley also.
Indian Army Doctors and medical staff are working round the clock and providing much needed medical aid to all affected locals and tourists. Meanwhile assistance to tourists awaiting evacuation at Lachen and Lachung are being continuously provided.
