Gangtok, June 3: In a high-altitude rescue operation, two MI-17 V5 helicopters airlifted 34 people—including injured army personnel, their families, and stranded tourists—from Chhaten and Lachen villages in North Sikkim’s Mangan district after a massive landslide on June 1 cut off road access to the region.

The first group of evacuees was flown to safety at Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Among them were several army personnel who are currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the landslide.

The Indian Air Force helicopters also carried 30 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel and emergency equipment, including satellite communication devices, into the affected zone to bolster relief efforts.

According to Pravakar Rai, Director of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), 112 tourists remain stranded in Lachen. “Plans were in place to evacuate them by road or on foot, but yesterday’s landslide severely damaged the Lachen–Chhaten road and tragically claimed the lives of three army personnel,” Rai said.

SSDMA is coordinating with Mangan district authorities and local residents to restore road connectivity. Authorities are also exploring alternate footpaths from Lachen to Chhaten, where a helipad could enable further airlifts.

With weather conditions still posing risks, rescue efforts are expected to intensify over the coming days to evacuate those still trapped in the remote Himalayan region.

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