ARMY PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO 550 TOURISTS STRANDED DUE TO A LANDSLIDE CAUSED BY HEAVY RAINFALL IN NORTH SIKKIM
On 12 October at 0700 AM, route from Chungthang to major tourist destination of Lachung, North Sikkim was blocked due to landslides at multiple locations. At a place 2 Km North of Chungthang, a massive landslide occurred due to which approximately 150 vehicles with 550 tourists got stuck on both side of the landslide. This traffic kept on increasing till 10 AM due to lack of communication as mobile connectivity was also disturbed due to heavy rainfall. Army camp at Lachung immediately got into the action on request of civil administration to provide all out assistance to tourists and locals stranded in heavy rainfall and inclement weather conditions with freezing temperature.
In the meanwhile, road clearance was in progress, tourists started feeling uneasiness due to traffic blockage and harsh weather conditions. The Army provided immediate relief to stranded tourists in terms of water, food and medical care to elderly persons and infants,. Some of the critical tourists, shivering due to cold conditions were brought back to nearest Medical facility for further assistance . Border Road Organisation also got into action but route was not opened inspite of best efforts due to heavy landslide and unprecedented rainfall throughout the day.
At 4 PM, some of the tourists were stranded for more than eight hours at blockage site. Army also assisted the Sikkim Police in regulating the heavy traffic of more than 150 vehicles and by 6 PM all tourists were brought back to the safety of their respective hotels in Lachung without further delay.
Thus, quick reaction by the troops avoided any mishap and provided much appreciated succour to the tourists. Army troops deployed at North Sikkim are always at forefront to assist the local administration in any emergency relief work for tourists and earlier also during various occasions crucial human lives were saved due to prompt action by the troops of Army.
