Army saves the day again, rescues 200 stranded tourists

Amitava Banerjee, MP | Darjeeling: On the heels of the successful rescue and evacuation operation of around 3,000 tourists from the Indo-China border of Nathula in Sikkim, the Indian Army has shown another instance of heroism, successfully rescuing and evacuating around 200 tourists from the far-flung areas of North Sikkim.

Two hours of sudden and heavy snowfall had cut off the popular tourist destinations in Lachung Valley on Wednesday. The troops of Trishakti Corps immediately launched Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) including medical staff to locate the tourists in stranded vehicles, provide medical care and bring them to the nearest army camps.

Risking their lives, the army soldiers reached out to all stranded persons in just four hours. Many complained of dizziness, breathlessness and other high altitude related symptoms. A lady had fractured her hand. Immediate medical attention was given to them.

Many were shifted to lower altitudes. 42 persons including the elderly and children were kept in army shelters. "All rescued tourists were provided food, shelter and medical care at the army shelters, with the incessant snowfall and temperatures dipping down to minus 10 degrees. On Thursday afternoon, they were successfully evacuated to lower regions," stated Col. Tiwari.