Sikkim: Over 60 tourists airlifted from Lachen as rescue op begins

An MI-17 helicopter transported 20 tourists, including two foreign nationals, ensuring their safe evacuation on Thursday. Read further on Dynamite News:

Gangtok: As many as 63 stranded tourists, including two US citizens, have been airlifted from landslides north district's Lachen and Chaten since the aerial evacuation started on June 3, official sources said on Thursday.

"An MI-17 helicopter transported 20 tourists, including two foreign nationals, ensuring their safe evacuation on Thursday", a revised communique said.

33 Rescued On Tuesday

On Tuesday 33 stranded tourists were evacuated by the Indian armed forces helicopter when the NDRF was deployed to assist the ongoing search and rescue operations after the natural disaster struck on May 29 evening following cloud bursts.

Official Statement

"In a continued effort to rescue tourists stranded due to inclement weather and a challenging terrain, the second batch of tourists has been successfully airlifted from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport today (June 5). An MI-17 helicopter transported 20 tourists, including two foreign nationals, ensuring their safe evacuation," the statement added.

Buses Arranged

To further assist the rescued tourists in reaching their destinations, the Sikkim Nationalised Transport (SNT) buses have been arranged for a smooth commute to Gangtok.

In addition, a separate MI-17 helicopter sortie was organised for tourists opting to travel to Bagdogra, providing essential support and secure transportation for those seeking onward travel.

Choppers Being Used

Sources said the choppers flew towards the north district amid cloudy weather conditions. On Wednesday, two attempts to fly the airlifting of the stranded tourists failed. The distance from Pakyong in the east to Lachen is about 130 km at about 9000 ft above sea level.

The armed forces' helicopters also carried a team from the power department and telecommunication experts with the mission to restore essential services, including telecommunications and electricity, using satellite-based technologies and portable backup batteries in areas rendered inaccessible by road.

Police Personnel Team

Meanwhile, a team of police personnel from the communication branch with essential equipment are also proceeding towards the affected areas to bridge the gap between isolation and service and restore normalcy in the lives of those affected, who have been cut from the rest of the world since May 29 when the disaster struck in the evening.

"Due to the persistent bad weather in the region, helicopter sorties from Pakyong Greenfield Airport were temporarily suspended, which delayed further evacuations.

Weather Improved

However, as the weather conditions improved, a mission was carried out with the deployment of two helicopters to assist in the evacuation of tourists stranded in Lachen," a media statement said.