A defense release on Thursday said that the Indian Army has rescued 74 tourists, including women and children stranded in the Yumthang Valley, in North Sikkim. The Jawans of the Trishakti Corps rescued tourists on Wednesday after receiving information that they were stranded 19 kilometers from the Yumthang valley due to a massive landslide.
After eight tourist cars were stranded in a landslide, a sidewalk was built with wooden planks and ropes, and a human chain was formed to save the tourists. They were escorted to safety and provided food and medical care. Independent reports said several vehicles were trapped under rubble in an area of 20 miles. However, so far, no fatalities have been reported from the landslide site.
Troops of #StrikingLionDivision #TrishaktiCorps rescue tourists stranded in landslide due to #glacial lake burst in #YumthangValley North #Sikkim. 74 Tourists including women & children escorted to safe place, provided food & medical care.@adgpi @easterncomd pic.twitter.com/qNqhvLcvRY
— Trishakticorps_IA (@trishakticorps) August 31, 2022
Also read: Himachal landslides and flash floods claim lives and damage Kullu and Chamba roads
“Tourists were fed and the elderly people were given medical care. Troops evacuated the accommodation and searched for 68 people, including eight women, two infants, and other elderly people. Meanwhile, other BRO units and bulldozers were used at the construction site. By 5 p.m., they were able to clear a path across the site on foot,” the statement read.
The Department Of Roads And Bridges Advises People Not To Travel Unnecessarily
The roads and bridges department of Sikkim has issued recommendations urging people not to move unless absolutely necessary as the constant rain has loosened rocks and cliffs and put them at risk of landslides. They also issued a statement noting that they are working to restore road connectivity as soon as possible.
Also read: Himachal not safe for travel as hundreds of tourists left stranded after flash floods
Another northeastern province of Manipur also suffered a significant landslide in June this year, killing more than 40 people and injuring several others. Eight of the deceased were from Assam. Three buildings collapsed in northern Sikkim after landslides hit Namchi, Dhampoo Dara, and Sikkim. Northeast India consists of geologically young hills and is located in Zone 5 of the seismic zone, making the entire region vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
Also read: Don’t travel to Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh as NH5 gets blocked after landslides