Army, IAF swing into action in Sikkim

Kolkata: The Indian Army and Air Force (IAF) have rescued around 100 stranded tour-ists in a joint operation from North Sikkim. On Sunday morning, the Trishakti Corps of Indian Army and IAF launched the air evacuation of tourists stranded in the rain hit far flung areas and airlifted them.

Three days ago, areas of North Sikkim got cut off at several places, due to the incessant rain resulting into multiple landslides, and road and bri-dges getting washed away. A number of tourists were stuck there.

On requisition for aid by the civil administration, the Army immediately pr-essed for helicopters of the Army Aviation and IAF for a swift evacuation of stra-nded tourists for last three days requiring urgent assistance, the Eastern Command said in a statement.

It elaborated that the helicopters have made several sorties from Gangtok and Sevok and evacuated approximately 100 persons, which included the aged, women and children. A pregnant woman and her husband were also evacuated. In addition to that, medical help was provided to people having medical problems before airlifting. Anticipa-ting the grave situation, the Indian Ar-my also made necessary arrangements of tents, blankets and food for the stranded tourists.

On the tourists’ arrival at Sevok and Gangtok, all requiring medical assistance were again recheck-ed and were facilitated for their onward move to the-ir homes. A senior army officer said that the evacuation operation would continue till all stranded personnel are moved out from the affected area.