The evacuation was conducted in a coordinated and incident-free manner (Image: Internet)
Gangtok: The Indian Army on Thursday completed a large-scale evacuation of stranded civilians in North Sikkim, rescuing 1,321 tourists and 84 local residents after landslides cut off road connectivity in the region.
The operation, carried out under ‘Operation Him Setu’, focused on areas around Lachen, where travellers had been stranded due to multiple landslides and harsh weather conditions.
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Defence spokesperson Mahendra Rawat said the evacuation was conducted in a coordinated and incident-free manner within 48 hours despite challenging terrain and adverse weather.
“All stranded individuals were safely evacuated,” he said, highlighting the efficiency and scale of the mission.
The rescue effort involved restoring access across damaged stretches of the Lachen–Chungthang road. Troops constructed temporary structures, including a footbridge, to help people cross disrupted sections safely.
Personnel also worked to open alternate routes and clear blocked mountain passes, ensuring continuous movement of evacuees even as snowfall and landslides persisted.
Reception centres were set up at key transit points to support evacuees with food, shelter, and medical assistance. Dedicated medical teams were deployed to attend to those requiring immediate care.
Army vehicles were also used to tow stranded civilian vehicles through difficult terrain, helping speed up the evacuation process.
The operation was carried out in close coordination with civil authorities and the Border Roads Organisation, which undertook road clearance, snow removal, and restoration work simultaneously.
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The mission was led by the Trishakti Corps under the Eastern Command, with troops maintaining continuous presence on the ground to ensure safe evacuation.
Officials said the situation is being closely monitored as road connectivity between Lachen and Chungthang remains affected due to multiple landslides near the India-China border.
Authorities are continuing efforts to fully restore access in the region while ensuring the safety of residents and travellers.
