Guwahati, June 20: In a remarkable rescue operation, all 1,447 tourists stranded in the landslide affected Mangan district of North Sikkim were safely evacuated. The final group of 158 tourists was rescued on Wednesday, concluding a three-day operation.
The rescue effort began on June 17, with 50 tourists initially evacuated. The following day, June 18, saw a significant increase in rescues, with 1,237 tourists brought to safety. The last group of 158 tourists was successfully evacuated from Chungthang and the northern regions of Mangan district on the third and final day.
Mangan District Magistrate, Hem Kumar Chettri, said the evacuation was a coordinated effort of various agencies involved. “On the third and final day of evacuation, 158 tourists have been rescued from Chungthang and the northern regions of Mangan district,” Chettri said.
The operation was a joint effort by the district administration, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Border Roads Organization (BRO). Key figures in the operation included Mangan Superintendent of Police Sonam Detchu Bhutia, additional DM Vishu Lama, BDO Kailash Thapa, officials from the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), and representatives from the forest and tourism departments, motor vehicle division, police, General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF), Taxi Drivers’ Association, and Travel Agents Association of Sikkim (TAAS).
In Chungthang, SDM Kiran Thatal and his team, including SDPO Arun Thatal, SHO Ugen Bhutia, SHO Sawan Gurung Lachung, ADC Hem Sagar Kafley, and BDO TR Baniya, worked tirelessly to handle the evacuation. They were supported by members of the Lachung Dzumsa, Lachung Hotel Association, and the local public, who provided free accommodation, food, and other amenities to the stranded tourists.
The seamless coordination between the rescue teams at Mangan and Chungthang ensured the efficient evacuation of all tourists. Many of the rescued tourists expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the government officials and the local community for their swift and compassionate response during the crisis.
