The Indian Army has launched Operation Him Setu to rescue more than 1,000 tourists stranded in North Sikkim after landslides and a bridge collapse cut off road access to Lachen. The rescue operation began on Wednesday, and by Thursday, the Trishakti Corps had evacuated 135 tourists from the Lachen area, with priority given to medical cases. Overall, the Eastern Command evacuated 1,321 tourists and 84 residents in an “incident-free, coordinated and seamless manner” within 48 hours, despite adverse weather conditions.

The Ministry of Defence said in a statement, “Trishakti Corps continues to spearhead evacuation efforts despite heavy snowfall and extreme weather. Tourists have been safely evacuated, with medical cases given priority.”

The crisis began after a road stretch and a newly built bridge near Tarum Chu collapsed due to heavy storms and snowfall. The bridge, inaugurated in February, reportedly gave way within a month. The damage severed the main link between Lachen and Chungthang, leaving tourists and locals stranded in challenging high-altitude conditions.

The Trishakti Corps, under the Eastern Command, operated in harsh weather near the India-China border, where heavy snowfall complicated rescue efforts. According to the Army, evacuees are being moved onward to Gangtok, and those rescued include an 80-year-old ailing individual.

The Indian Army, along with the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the civil administration, is carrying out the evacuation under Operation Him Setu. Army engineers have constructed a temporary footbridge over the washed-out road section north of Tarum Chu, leading to Lachen, while the BRO continues snow clearance and road restoration work.

The civil administration is providing logistical and medical support to evacuees. Reception centres have been set up at key locations to offer food, shelter and medical care. The Army has also deployed recovery vehicles to assist in towing civilian vehicles across difficult terrain. Local media reports indicate the region has been facing severe weather for several weeks, with persistent storms and frequent snowfall.

Chakra Desk

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