Rescue, Relief & Assessment Mission in North Sikkim

Stranded tourists evacuated, relief materials dropped by IAF choppers

GANGTOK,: Altogether 199 stranded people including tourists were evacuated in six IAF choppers on Thursday from Chaten, Lachen in North Sikkim to Pakyong Airport. About 6,000 kg of relief materials were also dispatched in the 22 sorties conducted by four Mi-17 and two Cheetah helicopters, officials informed.

“The helicopters were airborne at dawn today and evacuated more than hundred survivors, including children, within a short period, in the tiny weather window available.  They have delivered much needed succour to civilians, service personnel and foreigners who have been stranded in this landslide hit region. 199 people have been rescued and 6000 kg of relief material was inducted in 22 sorties today,” states a press release.

An IPR release adds that one MI-17 helicopter also made a direct journey from Bagdogra to Chaten, airlifting 16 passengers, which brings the total number of evacuated tourists to 63.

Furthermore, a MI-17 helicopter on standby airlifted 18 tourists to Bagdogra, while four more tourists were transported by Cheetah helicopters to their destination, ensuring safe evacuation of those in need.

Currently, there are approximately 64 tourists stranded in Chaten and evacuation operations from Pakyong Greenfield Airport have been suspended for the day due to bad weather conditions.

However, two MI-17 V5 helicopters are ready and stationed at Pakyong, prepared for immediate deployment as soon as conditions improve. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe and swift evacuation of those stranded, it was informed.

On Thursday, State Relief Commissioner-Land Revenue & Disaster Management secretary MT Sherpa accompanied by SSDMA director Prabhakar Rai, SSDMA additional director Rajiv Roka and other officials visited the disaster-struck areas in Dzongu and Chungthang.

The visit was conducted to assess the extent of damages caused by incessant rainfall in both the sub divisions under Mangan district. The purpose of the visit of the SSDMA led by the Relief Commissioner was also to understand the ground situation and initiate immediate and long term mitigation measures.

As per an official release, the team started the assessment from Phidang in Lower Dzongu where a part of the protection wall along the river bank was affected. Likewise, the status of Phidang bailey bridge was also checked. A decision was made to repair the existing bamboo bridge at Phidang and construct a similar bridge for public use.

The Phidang bridge is the only available route to reach Dzongu, Chungthang and beyond in North Sikkim.

Enroute to Chungthang via Phidang (Dzongu), the Relief Commissioner and SSDMA team made several inspections and assessments of bridges, roads, houses, infrastructures and overall landscape along the route.

At Chungthang, the team met the panchayats and officials to understand the ground situation.

The Relief Commissioner, while interacting with the elected representatives and officers of the sub division, appealed to continue with their resilient ways and to keep faith in the government’s efforts. He emphasised the importance of unity and collaboration in devising solutions to the current challenges. He stressed that the government under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay is taking every possible step to provide relief to those affected.

The Relief Commissioner officially handed over the key to the emergency vehicle presented to the office of SDM Chungthang by the SSDMA for emergency responses. The visiting team also handed over consignments of medicines sent by the Health department to the Medical Officer Chungthang for transshipment to Lachen.

The team also travelled a few kilometres towards the Lachen axis to assess the extent of damages caused by the series of landslides along the route. In view of the situation wherein the road connectivity is severed at multiple places, the SDM Chungthang was directed to immediately prepare an estimate for launching foot bridges (log bridges) at various locations along Chungthang Lachen axis right up to Zema, the release mentions.