Rescued tourists salute the Indian Army and BRO personnel . (Photo: Defence PRO, Guwahati)
New Delhi/Guwahati: The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps and Border Roads Organization have rescued over 3,500 tourists who were stranded in North Sikkim after the road near Chungthang in the district got washed away due to flash floods and part of the road got blocked due to landslides, on June 16.
The Guwahati-based defence PRO Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat said the troops and workers of the BRO’s Project Swastik worked overnight in heavy rains and inclement weather to create a temporary crossing over the flash flood area to facilitate rescue of tourists.
“Efforts are on to restore the road connectivity, while the evacuation of tourists would continue,” he said.
The makeshift bridge using which tourists were rescued in North Sikkim. (Photo: Defence PRO, Guwahati)
On June 16, Sikkim witnessed torrential rainfall, which led to the landslides and washing away of a bridge near Chungthang in North Sikkim. The tourists were extended help to cross over the river and were provided with hot meals, tentage, and medical support.
Col Rawat said the tourists will be provided with all assistance until the route is cleared for their further journey.
“Indian Army, while guarding the border in super high-altitude areas of the Himalayas, remains proactive in providing assistance to tourists and local population,” the defence PRO said.
