KalimNews | Gangtok | June 8, 2025 : The coordinated air evacuation operation from Chaten in north Sikkim concluded successfully on the morning of June 8 with the final sortie of MI-17 helicopters transporting army personnel to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. A total of 76 army personnel were airlifted in the first sortie of the day by three MI-17 helicopters, officially marking the completion of the multi-day rescue and evacuation effort that had earlier ensured the safe return of all stranded tourists in the region.
This operation followed the devastating cloudburst that struck north Sikkim on May 30, bringing over 130 mm of rainfall and triggering severe flooding, widespread landslides, and infrastructure damage. Beginning June 1, rising water levels started eroding riverbanks and sweeping away bridges and roads. The Border Roads Organization managed to partially restore road access to Lachung, but continued heavy rainfall caused repeated landslides, including one that struck an army camp at Chaten in Lachen on the evening of June 1. That incident led to the unfortunate loss of three army personnel, while four others were injured and six remain missing. Air evacuation efforts began on June 3 amid difficult weather conditions.
The relief and evacuation operations were not limited to personnel rescue. In a parallel initiative, two MI-17 helicopters also departed from Pakyong on the morning of June 8, carrying approximately 1,300 kilograms of essential supplies. These included both military and civilian materials, along with five officials from the Department of Food and Civil Supplies. The supplies were delivered to Chaten, and on their return, the helicopters evacuated more army personnel.
Following requests from local tour operators and residents, the administration also confirmed plans to airlift a stranded driver from Chaten. Others still awaiting evacuation are expected to be brought down through the Zeema-Thangu-Dongkala route, with logistical support from the Indian Army stationed in Thangu. Weather conditions will determine the exact timing of this segment of the evacuation.
In the midst of the broader emergency, a tragic incident was reported in West Sikkim where Shravanti Datta Roy, a tourist from Kolkata, passed away near Dentum on Friday. Preliminary reports suggest that she fainted while visiting the High-Water Garden area en route from Pelling to Kaluk. Despite the swift assistance of staff from the Dentum Sub-Tourism Information Centre, who rushed her to the Dentum Health Centre, she was declared dead on arrival. She had been traveling with her husband, Sushital Roy.
Road connectivity in several affected areas is gradually being restored. According to state officials, all 13 roads under the Singtam sub-division and almost all 10 roads in the Gangtok sub-division are now operational. National Highway 10 (Rangpo-Ranipool) has been cleared, along with five roads under the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF). However, due to ongoing safety concerns, movement along a specific stretch of NH-10 between Sevoke and Rangpo (Km 52.1) will be regulated starting 6 p.m. on June 7. Only vehicles with a laden weight of up to 145 metric tonnes will be permitted to use the route until further notice. The Deputy General Manager (P), Chhaya Rajput, confirmed that local administrations have been instructed to enforce appropriate traffic regulations to ensure public safety.
The State Government has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the safety and welfare of all citizens affected by the extreme weather conditions. In response to specific appeals from locals, tourist taxi drivers, and government officials stranded at Chaten, a special helicopter sortie was launched for their urgent evacuation. Relief Commissioner M.T. Sherpa reported that the five food and civil supplies officials airlifted to Lachen were dispatched to meet on-ground exigencies and ensure uninterrupted access to essential provisions.
The Mangan District Administration, along with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority and the District Disaster Management Authority, continues to operate at full capacity to expedite the restoration of roads and communication infrastructure. These efforts are aimed at returning affected areas to normalcy as quickly as possible.
The recent disasters have posed severe challenges, but the joint response from the Indian Army, Air Force, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Sikkim State Government has mitigated further loss and brought timely relief to hundreds. The evacuation of over 1,600 stranded tourists from towns such as Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang stands as a testament to the coordinated and effective rescue operations underway. Recovery and rehabilitation efforts are set to continue in the days ahead, as authorities proceed with further assessments and search operations for the missing personnel.
