Army rescues 150 tourists from Sikkim

Indian Army has rescued at least 150 tourists from North Sikkim who were stranded due to heavy snowfall. The rescue operation took place late on Wednesday night. The tourists got stranded in sub-zero temperatures due to unprecedented heavy snowfall in Lachung valley of Sikkim.

“ Unprecedented snowfall in a span of two hours cut off the popular tourist destinations in Lachung valley, rendering the tourists helpless. The troops of Trishakti Corps immediately launched Quick Reaction Teams including medical staffs to locate the tourists in stranded vehicles, provide medical care and bring them to the nearest Army camps,” stated a release issued by Colonel SJ Tiwari.

During the swift rescue operation, Army personnel were able to trace and reach the stranded tourists within just four hours.
“ In just four hours, the Army soldiers risking their lives reached out to all stranded persons bringing a sigh of relief on their distraught faces,” stated the release.

Among the tourists, one woman was given immediate medical attention as she suffered from a fractured hand. There were many others who complained of breathlessness, dizziness and high altitude symptoms.

The development comes days after the Amy rescued more than 3000 stranded tourists from the Nathula area of Sikkim on December 28, 2018.