Operation HimSetu: Army Conducts Rescue Mission for Stranded Tourists in North Sikkim
Rescue Mission Launched
The Indian Army’s Eastern Command initiated a significant rescue operation, designated Operation HimSetu, on Wednesday to help evacuate over a thousand tourists stranded in North Sikkim. The situation arose after a series of large landslides and the collapse of a critical bridge disrupted essential road links in the region.
As of Thursday, the Trishakti Corps successfully rescued 135 tourists from the Lachen area, with a focus on those experiencing medical emergencies, as reported by the Ministry of Defence. Despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy snowfall near the India-China border, rescue personnel remain actively deployed to assist the approximately 1,000 tourists still awaiting evacuation.
Bridge Collapse and Connectivity Issues
The crisis began with the collapse of a road and a newly constructed bridge near Tarum Chu. This bridge, which was inaugurated only in February, fell apart within a month due to persistent storms and heavy snowfall that have affected the area for several weeks.
This incident has led to the complete severing of transport links between Lachen and Chungthang, leaving a large number of travelers stranded in elevated terrain. Communication with certain parts of Lachen has been cut off indefinitely, exacerbating the difficulties faced by those affected.
Coordinated Rescue Efforts
Emergency response efforts are being coordinated among various agencies to facilitate the physical evacuation and provision of medical assistance. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is tirelessly removing snow and working on restoring roads, despite the challenging landscape. The local civil administration is also engaged in monitoring the situation to ensure that supplies and logistics reach impacted individuals.
To aid in the evacuation, the Army has implemented a temporary walkable bridge at the collapse site. This structure allows individuals stranded in the region to cross the affected area on foot, from where they are being transported back to Gangtok, the state capital. Notably, among those evacuated via the bridge was an 80-year-old person in need of medical attention.
Current Status of Operations
While heavy vehicles currently cannot access the area due to blocked roads, the establishment of the footbridge has become a vital component of the mission to safely return every tourist. According to the Ministry of Defence, “Trishakti Corps continues to spearhead evacuation efforts despite heavy snowfall and extreme weather. 135 tourists have been safely evacuated, with priority given to medical cases.”
The landslide in North Sikkim, which resulted in the collapse of the newly built bridge, has significantly impacted the region’s connectivity to Lachen. Ongoing rescue operations are in full swing, with the closure of roads to facilitate the evacuation process, leading to many tourists finding themselves stranded amidst difficult conditions.
Local reports indicate that, in recent weeks, both Sikkim and the hilly areas of North Bengal have been experiencing severe weather, characterized by persistent storms and frequent heavy snowfall.
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Contents
Rescue Mission LaunchedThe Indian Army’s Eastern Command initiated a significant rescue operation, designated Operation HimSetu, on Wednesday to help evacuate over a thousand tourists stranded in North Sikkim. The situation arose after a series of large landslides and the collapse of a critical bridge disrupted essential road links in the region.As of Thursday, the Trishakti Corps successfully rescued 135 tourists from the Lachen area, with a focus on those experiencing medical emergencies, as reported by the Ministry of Defence. Despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy snowfall near the India-China border, rescue personnel remain actively deployed to assist the approximately 1,000 tourists still awaiting evacuation.Bridge Collapse and Connectivity IssuesThe crisis began with the collapse of a road and a newly constructed bridge near Tarum Chu. This bridge, which was inaugurated only in February, fell apart within a month due to persistent storms and heavy snowfall that have affected the area for several weeks.This incident has led to the complete severing of transport links between Lachen and Chungthang, leaving a large number of travelers stranded in elevated terrain. Communication with certain parts of Lachen has been cut off indefinitely, exacerbating the difficulties faced by those affected.Coordinated Rescue EffortsEmergency response efforts are being coordinated among various agencies to facilitate the physical evacuation and provision of medical assistance. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is tirelessly removing snow and working on restoring roads, despite the challenging landscape. The local civil administration is also engaged in monitoring the situation to ensure that supplies and logistics reach impacted individuals.To aid in the evacuation, the Army has implemented a temporary walkable bridge at the collapse site. This structure allows individuals stranded in the region to cross the affected area on foot, from where they are being transported back to Gangtok, the state capital. Notably, among those evacuated via the bridge was an 80-year-old person in need of medical attention.Current Status of OperationsWhile heavy vehicles currently cannot access the area due to blocked roads, the establishment of the footbridge has become a vital component of the mission to safely return every tourist. According to the Ministry of Defence, “Trishakti Corps continues to spearhead evacuation efforts despite heavy snowfall and extreme weather. 135 tourists have been safely evacuated, with priority given to medical cases.”The landslide in North Sikkim, which resulted in the collapse of the newly built bridge, has significantly impacted the region’s connectivity to Lachen. Ongoing rescue operations are in full swing, with the closure of roads to facilitate the evacuation process, leading to many tourists finding themselves stranded amidst difficult conditions.Local reports indicate that, in recent weeks, both Sikkim and the hilly areas of North Bengal have been experiencing severe weather, characterized by persistent storms and frequent heavy snowfall.
