Indian Army Constructs Walkway to Isolated Lachen in Sikkim

Gangtok, Jun 4 (PTI) — In an impressive display of determination and resilience, Indian Army personnel have constructed a temporary walkway to the village of Lachen in north Sikkim, which had been completely isolated due to a series of landslides caused by heavy rainfall in Mangan district. The army reached out to 113 tourists stranded in the village, with plans for their evacuation underway.

Meanwhile, search operations continue to locate six people unaccounted for since June 1, when a landslide struck a military camp in Chaten. The precarious weather and terrain have posed significant challenges, but the efforts continue unabated.

Indian Army personnel, undeterred by severe weather and hazardous conditions, are tirelessly working to help locals and tourists trapped in north Sikkim. Recently, 1,678 tourists were successfully rescued from Lachung and Chungthang, along with 34 individuals, including foreign nationals and family members of armed forces personnel, being airlifted to safety.

Despite challenging high-altitude terrain and poor weather conditions hampering the search for the missing in Chaten, specialized teams and engineering equipment have been deployed to aid in the ongoing operations. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts thunderstorms and heavy rain in Sikkim on Wednesday.

Citizens have been advised to exercise caution due to expected intense rainfall, which may affect regions like Gangtok, Mangan, Namchi, Pakyong, and Soreng districts. Weather conditions are likely to remain severe, with authorities urging vigilance.