Sikkim Landslide: Three Soldiers Dead, Six Missing After Army Camp Destroyed

Chungthang Sub-Divisional Police Officer Arun Thatal stated that an army camp located amidst rocks was hit by a landslide after rising water levels in the Lachen River.

Heavy Rain: Heavy rain and landslides have caused widespread devastation in Sikkim. A landslide at a military camp in Chatten, North Sikkim, resulted in the death of three soldiers, while six others remain missing. The deceased have been identified as Havildar Lakhvinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and porter Abhishek Lakra. The army has launched rescue and relief operations.

Three Soldiers Killed

An official statement confirmed that a devastating landslide, triggered by heavy and incessant rainfall in the region, led to the death of three soldiers. Their bodies have been recovered.

Tourists Rescued in Lachung

Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of Mangan district reported that 1600 tourists stranded in Lachung were safely rescued on Monday. They had been stranded since May 30th due to landslides and swollen rivers caused by heavy rainfall. Debris clearance was carried out on Sunday night, and the rescue operation commenced on Monday morning.

Search Operation Continues

Arun Thatal, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Chungthang, stated that the army camp in Chatten was hit by a landslide after the water level in the Lachen river rose. Three army personnel have been recovered, and six remain missing. The army is continuing its search operation.

Nine Initially Missing

It is reported that nine people, including eight tourists, went missing in North Sikkim last Thursday after their vehicle plunged into the swollen Teesta River. Chatten, located approximately 3 km from Lachen, is one of the worst-affected areas by the landslides and houses several army camps.

Red Alert Issued

Considering the situation, the state government has issued a red alert for Mangan district. The heavy rainfall has caused the Teesta River to swell significantly, posing a flood risk to several areas.