Sikkim landslide: Search operations continue after six people go missing

Search operations are continuing on an urgent footing to locate the six individuals who are still missing after a landslide struck a military camp at Chaten in Sikkim on June 1, a defence spokesperson has said. The Army has deployed specialised teams and engineering equipment. However, the ongoing efforts have been significantly hampered by extremely bad weather, unstable ground and the challenging high-altitude terrain.

The missing persons include Lieutenant Colonel Pritpal Singh Sandhu, Subedar Dharamveer, Naik Sunilal Muchahary, Sepoy Sainudheen PK, Squadron Leader Aarti Sandhu (Retd), wife of Lieutenant Colonel Sandhu, and their daughter Amayra Sandhu.

The spokesperson said that around 7 pm on June 1, a catastrophic landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck the Indian Army military camp at Chaten in Lachen. The Indian Army initiated rescue operations. Four individuals have been rescued with minor injuries, while the mortal remains of three personnel have been recovered.


The spokesperson said that the Indian Army is working relentlessly under extreme weather and hazardous terrain conditions to assist residents and stranded tourists. Lachen village, the main hub for tourism in the region, has been completely cut off. The Army has established foot connectivity to the village and reached out to 113 stranded tourists, who will be evacuated soon. On June 3, around 30 tourists, including some foreign nationals, were successfully airlifted by military helicopters.

In Assam, over 6 lakh people were affected in 21 districts due to flood. Flood-related death toll has reached 12 this year. Incessant rains have led to landslides in different parts of the state leading to death of five people, including children, in Guwahati last month.

According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), surging waters have inundated 1,506 villages in 69 revenue circles in the 21 flood-hit districts. Flood waters have affected 14739.39 hectares of agricultural land, some with standing crops on it.

The government has opened 511 relief camps and relief distribution centres to help the marooned people. A total of 39,746 people, including 8269 children, have taken shelter in relief camps due to the floods.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his cabinet colleagues have been visiting different flood-hit districts and the relief camps to take stock of the situation.