The situation became particularly grave after the collapse of the newly constructed suspension bridge at Sanklang, which was the primary connection to North Sikkim and the Dzongu region…reports Asian Lite News
Troops from the Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army, along with the civil administration, undertook the rescue of tourists stranded in North Sikkim, the army said on Wednesday.
According to an army statement, the evacuation of more than 1200 tourists stranded in North Sikkim between June 12-13 commenced on June 17. Due to the large number of landslides, tourists are being moved on foot and by vehicle in stretches wherever connectivity exists.
“Working under challenging weather and terrain conditions, the signalers of the Indian Army helped BSNL and Airtel restore mobile connectivity on June 18, 2024.”
“Since June 12, the Indian Army installed more than half a dozen telephone booths to facilitate locals and tourists connecting with their relatives,” the statement said.
The statement further said that medical teams have set up medical aid booths and have been providing medical care to needy residents and tourists. So far, more than 115 people have been provided with medical attention, including a lifesaving emergency distress call of a 24-year-old at Lachung suffering from High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, it added.
All the needy people have been provided with the basic requirements of rations and other logistics support to sustain themselves in this critical time, it said.
The unprecedented heavy rains have caused multiple landslides and breaches on roads leading to North Sikkim, such as Dikchu-Sanklang-Toong, Mangan-Sanklang, Singtham-Rangrang, and Rangrang-Toong, severing connectivity to the region.
The situation became particularly grave after the collapse of the newly constructed suspension bridge at Sanklang, which was the primary connection to North Sikkim and the Dzongu region.
In a swift response, BRO has cleared multiple slides along the Sanklang-Toong road, making it traffic-worthy for light vehicles.
Similarly, the road stretch between Naga and Lanthakhola on the Mangan-Chungthang road has been cleared and made traffic-worthy.
However, significant breaches at traditional slide points Lanthakhola and Rafangkhola have posed ongoing challenges. Heavy equipment has been deployed to restore vehicular connectivity across these points as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba held a meeting with officials of General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and Border Road Organisation (BRO)to access the destruction and coordinate relief activities.
The meeting by the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) MP was held on Tuesday.
Over the past week, landslides have left at least nine people dead and 1,200-1,400 tourists stranded in the Mangan district. (ANI)
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