Airlifting
Stranded people being evacuated in North Sikkim. Image - Twitter

The joint team of Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) in coordination with the civil administration continues rescue operation of tourists, who have remained stranded in the far-flung areas in rain-hit North Sikkim.

With the help of Army personnel, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has used two Mi17 helicopters and rescued 184 persons, including tourists, civilians, Army personnel and delivered 9 tonnes of relief materials, informed Meghalaya-based defence sources.

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In a Facebook page ‘Heroes in Uniform’, Anita, one of many rescued in Sikkim, stated: “We had been stranded here for last 4 days. God came in the form of our defence forces. From tents, blankets, food to airlifting to safety, everything was taken care. God bless them.”

It may be mentioned that three days ago, several parts of north Sikkim remained cut off from rest of the country due to incessant rains that led to multiple landslides and roads/bridges getting washed away. Due to the landslides, a large number of tourists were stuck in the district.

A report published on Monday by TOI quoted a senior official of Army’s Eastern Command as saying: “On request from the civil administration, Army immediately pressed helicopters of Army Aviation and the IAF into service for swift evacuation of tourists who have been stranded there for the last three days. The helicopters have made several sorties from Gangtok and Sevoke and evacuated nearly 100 people, including the elderly, women and children. A pregnant woman and her husband were also evacuated. In addition, medical aid was also provided to people requiring assistance before they were airlifted.”