NDRF deployed to bolster rescue op after landslide flattens Army camp in Sikkim

Gangtok, June 3 (UNI) A 23-member team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was on Tuesday deployed to bolster the ongoing rescue and evacuation at Chaten in north district's remote Lachen where a massive landslide flattened an Army camp killing three, wounding 4 while six went missing since Monday evening, official sources said.
The Sikkim government, meanwhile, declared the north district as " disaster-hit" and warned tourists and other stakeholders to avoid the region for now as the entire district bordering China has remained largely inaccessible since May 28 following rains, which triggered a series of landslides affecting infrastructure.
In response to the disaster in north Sikkim, one V-5 helicopter has landed at Pakyong Greenfield Airport, deploying teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The NDRF units are equipped with satellite phones and essential emergency equipment, official sources said.
The first sortie of the day, comprising 23 NDRF personnel equipped with essential supplies, proceeded towards Chaten from Pakyong Greenfield Airport.
"The deployment aims to bolster on-ground efforts in the remote region, where access has been severely hampered due to recent natural disruptions. The teams will aid in evacuation, rescue and the establishment of temporary communication lines to assist affected residents," an official source said.
The authorities have issued directives to explore alternate foot-access routes and assess the feasibility of helipad operations, depending on prevailing weather conditions. The efforts are made to reach isolated communities and ensure timely aid, a government communique said.
Chief minister Prem Singh Golay condoled the demise of Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur and porter Abhishek Lakhadia, who were buried alive when massive landslides swept away an Army camp at Chaten, about 9000 ft above the sea level and about 110 km from Gangtok.
Four more wounded were rescued and six personnel have been missing since the disaster struck on Monday at around 7 pm.
State chief secretary R Telang, chaired a high-level meeting to review the disaster situation in Mangan district, which has been severely affected by continuous rain, landslides, and widespread disruption in connectivity. The meeting focused on key issues such as road blockages, evacuation of stranded tourists, and the urgent restoration of essential services like power, roadway and telecommunications.
In a video conference briefing, district magistrate of Mangan Anant Jain updated the ground situation. The authorities were instructed to maintain effective communication with residents, particularly about the timing and routes for evacuation.
Officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) provided an update on the extent of road damage and ongoing restoration efforts. The BRO was directed to deploy sufficient manpower and machinery to expedite the reopening of strategic routes.
The teams from BSNL and power, will be mobilised from Pakyong to Lachen by helicopter with essential equipment and backup batteries to restore services.
The home department has been tasked with organising and dispatching field teams, while the district authorities have been instructed to provide continuous situation updates and ensure coordination among field teams and the State Control Room in coordination with Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA).
The Chief Secretary stressed that immediate priority must be given to restoring power (both conventional and mobile) and telecommunication services, including the use of satellite-based solutions in inaccessible areas. In case full connectivity cannot be restored immediately, departments are to explore foot access routes and evaluate helipad operations, depending on weather conditions.
The government underlined the importance of inter-departmental coordination, calling on all departments, including SSDMA, to consolidate their field-level inputs and take a unified approach to relief operations. Coordination with the Indian Army was also suggested for logistics support and situational updates.
The immediate objective is the restoration of connectivity and the safe evacuation of those stranded," officials said.
The government of Sikkim, through the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) and the Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, has officially declared the damage caused by incessant rains in Mangan District from May 28 onwards as a 'disaster' under Section 22(2)(b) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
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