A catastrophic landslide occurred at an Indian Army camp in Chatten, North Sikkim, late on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of three soldiers and leaving nine others unaccounted for. The incident transpired after heavy and persistent rainfall caused the Lachen River to swell, leading to the devastating landslide that engulfed the military facility.
Rescue operations have been launched, with four personnel sustaining minor injuries successfully rescued from the site. The bodies of Havildar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada have been recovered as efforts continue to locate those missing.
Arun Thatal, the sub-divisional police officer of Chungthang in Mangan district, confirmed the grim details, stating, “Three bodies of army personnel have been recovered and nine army personnel are missing. Search operation by the army is ongoing.” Compounding the tragedy, the landslide also inflicted damage on surrounding infrastructure, exacerbating an already critical situation in the area.
This disaster comes as North Sikkim faces widespread disruptions due to relentless rain and subsequent landslides. On Monday morning, a major operation successfully rescued over 1,600 tourists who had been stranded in Lachung since May 30. Among those evacuated were about 380 children. However, around 150 tourists remain stranded in Lachen, where they are reportedly safe and accommodated in local hotels. The Mangan district collector, Anant Jain, assured that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are present to assist in the ongoing situation.
The region has previously suffered tragedies related to extreme weather conditions; just last week, nine individuals, including eight tourists, went missing after their vehicle fell into the swollen Teesta River. Search efforts have yet to locate any survivors from that incident, with all presumed dead.
Lachen and Lachung, situated at altitudes exceeding 2,700 meters, are significant transit points for tourists en route to attractions like Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley. These areas have been severely impacted, experiencing blocked roads, disrupted communication, and continued challenges in rescue operations due to adverse weather conditions.
Authorities are maintaining a heightened state of alert as the rain shows no sign of abating, raising concerns of further landslides. Rescue teams, which include personnel from the Indian Army, NDRF, and local authorities, continue their efforts in the region to mitigate further loss of life and to assist survivors.
