Northeast Desk, 13th October: In a significant relief for the authorities in Sikkim, the evacuation process in Lachung has reached its conclusion. Today marked the airlift of the last batch of tourists and other local residents, effectively concluding the evacuation in the Himalayan state affected by natural calamities.
A total of 82 individuals were evacuated today (October 13) from Lachung and Pegong at the Ringhim Helipad, including 29 tourists, 30 locals, and 23 laborers. The air force choppers transported 73 of these individuals, while the VT-OSC five-seater twin-engine helicopters carried the remaining nine.
This successful evacuation operation has ensured the safety and well-being of all the stranded tourists and other individuals in Lachung. The flash flood, which was triggered by the outburst of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim on October 4, resulted in a heavy inflow into the Teesta River and caused extensive damage to bridges, parts of NH10, small towns, and infrastructure in the Teesta River Valley of Sikkim.