Daijiworld Media Network - Gangtok

Gangtok, Apr 9: The Indian Army has successfully evacuated 1,321 tourists and 84 local residents stranded in North Sikkim following landslides that cut off road access, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat, Defence Spokesperson, stated that ‘Operation Him Setu’, launched to rescue those trapped in the Lachen area, was completed efficiently and without incident within 48 hours, despite harsh weather conditions.

“The evacuation of all individuals was carried out in a coordinated and seamless manner,” Lieutenant Colonel Rawat said. “A total of 1,321 tourists and 84 residents were safely brought to secure locations.”

Connectivity in the affected region was restored with the construction of a temporary footbridge, allowing safe passage across the damaged Lachen-Chungthang road. Reception centers were established at key points to provide food, shelter, and medical care, with medical teams on standby to assist evacuees. Army vehicles also helped tow civilian vehicles across difficult terrain.

Even in the face of heavy snowfall and severe weather, troops reopened vital mountain passes and activated alternate routes to ensure continuous evacuation. The operation was carried out in close coordination with the civil administration and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), which worked simultaneously to clear roads, remove snow, and restore connectivity under extremely challenging conditions.

The Trishakti Corps, under the Eastern Command of the Indian Army, led the operation, maintaining a constant ground presence to manage the safe and orderly movement of evacuees. Temporary bridges and safe crossing points were constructed, allowing uninterrupted evacuation despite adverse conditions.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. A Sikkim government official confirmed that multiple landslides near the India-China border had disrupted road connectivity between Lachen and Chungthang.