Overview

• Two MI-17 helicopter sorties from Pakyong on June 5 airlifted 59 tourists from Chaten to Gangtok after improved visibility allowed flights to resume.
• More than 1,800 tourists have now been rescued from North Sikkim, including over 1,600 brought out of Lachung and Chungthang earlier this week.
• A landslide on June 1 struck an Army camp at Chaten, killing three personnel and leaving six soldiers missing as search teams battle unstable ground and high-altitude weather.
• Flood-damaged bridges over the Taran Chu river cut off motorable access between Lachen and Chaten, prompting activation of a phased ground transshipment plan using temporary footpaths and wooden structures.
• The India Meteorological Department’s red alert forecasts heavy rain for the next three days, driving multi-agency efforts to adapt evacuation strategies under worsening conditions.