Teesta flash flood: Aerial rescue of tourists begins in cut-off areas in North Sikkim after five days | Kolkata News

KOLKATA: Aerial rescue of stranded tourists and locals at Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang in North Sikkim — that had got separated from the rest of the state following the Teesta flash flood — began five days since the disaster on Monday.

Multiple Army helicopters began lifting tourists from relief camps to safer terrains where from the tourists were facilitated to get back to NJP or Bagdogra for safe journey back home.

Army officials stressed all tourists were safe and that priority was given to elderly and those requiring medical assistance.

Till 12 noon, 232 tourists were airlifted from Lachen and Lachung in 9 trips.

While 45 persons were flown from Lachen to Mangan in three trips, 187 persons were airlifted from Lachung to Pakyong airport in six trips.

Till last reports more airlifting operations were in process.

“After struggling with bad weather since the disaster occurred, the process of air evacuation of stranded tourists and local people needing urgent medical assistance has started from Lachen and Lachung,” the Indian Army stated.

MI-17 choppers and Chinook helicopters were primarily deployed in the rescue act.