Gangtok (Sikkim), April 9 : The Indian Army's Trishakti Corps successfully completed the evacuation of stranded civilians under Operation HimSetu, rescuing 1,321 tourists and 84 locals in just 48 hours, despite challenging weather conditions. The operation was carried out smoothly and without any incidents, the Army reported.
The coordinated evacuation effort was carried out in close collaboration with the civil administration and the Border Roads Organisation. In order to facilitate the safe movement of stranded individuals, a temporary footbridge was constructed, restoring connectivity in the affected region.
The mission, led by the Trishakti Corps under the Eastern Command, demonstrated a rapid and efficient response to the disaster, highlighting the Army’s disaster management capabilities. This rescue operation followed a similar incident on March 25, when around 150-200 tourists were stranded in Chungthang due to multiple landslides triggered by heavy rainfall in North Sikkim. According to District Commissioner Anant Jain, the landslides blocked critical routes between Gangtok and Lachen, and between Chungthang and Lachen, leaving tourists trapped en route to their destination.
