In North Sikkim a Landslide Strikes an Army Camp Killing 3 People and Leaving 9 Others Missing

North Sikkim Reels from Landslides as Soldiers Die and Tourists Stranded

Siliguri: Late Sunday night a terrible landslide destroyed an army camp in Chatten North Sikkim killing at least three soldiers and leaving nine more missing. Rising water levels in the Lachen River caused a huge soil and debris slide that caught the soldiers off guard during the night resulting in the incident. 

Army personnel assisted by local authorities immediately began rescue operations. Three bodies were found as of Monday and the nine soldiers who are still unaccounted for are still being sought. The dangerous terrain makes the operation difficult and ongoing, stated Arun Thatal, the Mangan district Chungthang sub-divisional police officer. Heavy rains and unstable ground are complicating recovery efforts, he added. 

A large number of tourists were evacuated from Lachung

Authorities in Lachung where 1600 tourists had been stranded since May 30 due to numerous landslides and rising river levels were able to undertake a major evacuation operation despite the chaos. Following the evacuation of debris from important roads on Sunday evening rescue crews rescued the tourists – including 380 children – on Monday morning. 

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) state police and local volunteers coordinated the rescue effort according to Mangan district collector Anant Jain. Following their rescue the tourists were taken to safer areas where they were given food, water and medical attention. According to Jain all rescued individuals are safe and there have been no reports of injuries among them despite the harsh conditions. 

An Earlier Tragedy in the Area Involved a Vehicle that Fell into a River and Left Tourists Missing

Eight tourists were among the nine people who vanished last Thursday after their car plunged into the flooded Teesta River in North Sikkim in another equally tragic incident. Given the extent of the flooding and the amount of time that has passed authorities are concerned that all nine people may have died. 

Due to days of nonstop rain the river has swelled posing serious risks to both locals and tourists. Searches along the riverbanks have been conducted by rescue teams but the choppy waters have complicated things. 

Military Vulnerability and Terrain that is Prone to Landslides

Chatten where the army camp is located is about 3 km from Lachen and is notoriously prone to landslides. Because of the area’s strategic significance close to the Indo-China border there are numerous military installations there. In a press release the Indian Army said that in addition to killing people the landslide destroyed nearby habitat and infrastructure. 

Landslides are common in this area particularly during the monsoon months a senior army official stated. Our top priority is the safety of our employees and we constantly evaluate the risk in high-altitude areas like these. 

Authorities are trying to formally identify the three soldiers whose bodies were discovered to be combat personnel. Grief support and notification are being given to families. 

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Ongoing Hazards and Climate Changes Effects

Deforestation and shifting weather patterns are major causes of the increased frequency of landslides and flooding in Indias Himalayan regions. Researchers caution that in delicate mountain ecosystems like North Sikkim climate change may be causing rainfall to increase slopes to become unstable and natural disasters to occur more frequently.

Tourist Destinations in Danger

At elevations above 2700 meters, Lachen and Lachung serve as important transit hubs for travelers traveling to high-altitude locations like Yumthang Valley and Gurudongmar Lake. Because of their scenic beauty these towns are well-liked but they are becoming more susceptible to severe weather. 

Approximately 150 tourists are still stuck in Lachen at the moment. According to authorities they are safe staying in hotels and receiving regular supplies of food and necessities. As soon as conditions allow, work is being done to reopen the roads that have been blocked and make it easier for them to evacuate.