63 Tourists Rescued from North Sikkim, 64 Remain Stranded Due to Weather Challenges

KalimNews wuth inputs from IPR Gangtok June 5, Gangtok : On Thursday, 63 tourists who had been stranded in North Sikkim were safely evacuated by air. However, the evacuation operation had to be suspended later in the day due to worsening weather conditions and the difficult terrain, as confirmed by the State Information and Public Relations Department.

Approximately 64 tourists continue to be stranded in Chaten, awaiting further evacuation. Two MI-17 helicopters successfully completed the first phase of the evacuation, airlifting 39 individuals from Chaten to Pakyong Greenfield Airport. Additionally, four more passengers were rescued using a Cheetah helicopter, and a direct flight from Bagdogra to Chaten by another MI-17 helicopter brought 16 more tourists to safety.

In anticipation of improved weather, two MI-17 helicopters are stationed at Pakyong, ready for deployment as soon as conditions allow. Efforts to ensure the safe evacuation of those still stranded are ongoing.

The Sikkim government is also focused on minimizing the impact of the crisis on the state’s tourism industry. Despite the ongoing rescue efforts, the state’s tourism destinations remain largely unaffected. While Lachen and Lachung remain closed due to road damage caused by landslides, the rest of Sikkim’s tourist sites are fully accessible, according to the State Tourist Department. Authorities have urged visitors not to cancel their travel plans.

C.S. Rao, Additional Chief Secretary, explained that although tourist permits to Lachen and Lachung have been temporarily suspended, there are over 200 other tourist destinations across Sikkim. Only about 25 to 30 of these are located in the Mangan District, where the disruptions have been the most severe. The remaining tourist spots in the other districts remain open, and there has been no significant drop in tourist arrivals. Many visitors who had initially planned to visit Gurudongmar Lake or Yumthang Valley are now opting for destinations like Yuksom, Khecheopalri Lake, and Pelling.

Despite the challenges in North Sikkim, the government has assured the public that tourism is not severely affected, and the situation is being closely monitored. Two MI-17 V5 helicopters remain on standby at Pakyong, prepared for immediate deployment to continue evacuations as soon as the weather conditions improve.

The Sikkim government is in constant coordination with various agencies and the armed forces to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the situation. Authorities are confident that the remaining tourists will be evacuated as soon as possible, with the ongoing evacuation operations being prioritized.