In the wake of a catastrophic landslide in North Sikkim, the Indian Army is tirelessly working under severe weather and challenging terrain to assist local residents and stranded tourists, officials reported on Wednesday. The landslide has completely isolated Lachen village, a key tourism hub in the region. The Army has managed to establish foot connectivity to the village, enabling them to reach out to 113 stranded tourists, who will soon be evacuated.
On Tuesday, military helicopters successfully airlifted 30 tourists, including foreign nationals. Search operations are being conducted with urgency to find six individuals still missing after the landslide hit a nearby military camp at Chaten. The missing individuals include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, Sepoy Sainudheen P.K., retired Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu, who is the wife of Colonel Sandhu, and their daughter, Miss Amayra Sandhu.
Despite deploying specialized teams and engineering equipment, the Army’s rescue efforts are severely hampered by inclement weather, unstable ground, and the daunting high-altitude conditions. This landslide is part of a broader crisis affecting the northeastern region, where relentless rainfall is causing additional floods and landslides.
Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, has promised comprehensive support from the Central government to those affected. In a series of communications, Scindia reached out to the Chief Ministers of Assam and Sikkim, and the Governor of Manipur, to assess the situation and express the Centre’s solidarity with the people of the region.
During a conversation with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Scindia reaffirmed the government’s commitment, stating, “We remain firmly committed to supporting the people of Sikkim in this challenging time.” He also spoke with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, assuring him of all necessary assistance for relief and rehabilitation. In addition, Scindia discussed the adverse weather’s impact with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, emphasizing the government’s resolve to provide all possible help.
On the social media platform X, Scindia shared updates on his outreach efforts and reiterated the Centre’s commitment to a coordinated response, demonstrating solidarity with the
