Army choppers rescue 100 people including 16 international tourists from Lachen

Seven sorties were carried out by the choppers – 6 by army choppers, and 1 by VT-OSC 5-seater twin engine helicopter hired by Sikkim Urja Limited

Indian Army choppers and a 5-seater twin engine helicopter hired by Sikkim Urja Limited rescued 100 stranded people from Lachen in North Sikkim today.

The evacuation process started this morning. A total of seven sorties were carried out by helicopters – six by army choppers, and one by VT-OSC 5-seater twin engine helicopter hired by Sikkim Urja Limited. The helicopters landed at Mangan helipad.

The evacuated people include 42 males and 58 females. 74 of those rescued are Indian tourists, 16 are international tourists, 7 locals, 2 army personnel and 1 patient.

After the evacuation they were sent by bus service towards Gangtok.

The stranded people were also assisted in crossing the temporary bamboo bridge at Chungthang. They travelled the route of Upper Dzongu- Lower Dzongu- crossing bringbong footbridge and finally arrived at Rangrang. They are being provided with bus service towards Gangtok along with accommodation facility.

As per the latest report, the total number of evacuated people from Bringbong checkpost are 157 Indian tourists, 7 international tourists and 55 labourers.

Also Read: Sikkim floods: Centre constituted team reaches disaster hit state to assess situation

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