On the evening of June 1, 2025, a catastrophic landslide, triggered by relentless monsoon rains, slammed into an Indian Army camp in Chaten, Sikkim, killing three soldiers and leaving six missing. The disaster, which struck around 7 PM, buried parts of the camp under tons of mud and debris, cutting off access to the remote village of Lachen, a key tourist hub in North Sikkim.
For the next 48 hours, rescue teams battled treacherous terrain, heavy rainfall, and unstable ground to save stranded civilians and military personnel. By June 6, a dramatic helicopter evacuation had successfully airlifted 44 tourists and 17 locals to safety, marking one of the most challenging rescue missions in Sikkim’s recent history.
The Landslide That Changed Everything
The disaster began with hefty rainfall, dumping over 130 mm of water in just a few days. The soil, already weakened by deforestation and erosion, gave way, sending a massive wave of mud and rocks crashing into the Army camp at Chaten.
Three soldiers, Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada, were killed instantly. Four others were injured, while six personnel, including an officer, his wife, and their daughter, remained missing as of June 7.
The landslide also severed road links between Lachen and the rest of Sikkim, leaving over 1,600 tourists stranded in the region.
The Race to Save the Stranded
With roads blocked and communication lines down, the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local authorities launched a two-phase rescue operation:
- Phase 1 (June 3-5):
- 63 tourists were airlifted by military helicopters from Chaten to Pakyong’s Greenfield Airport.
- Bad weather forced a temporary halt, leaving 64 people still trapped.
- Phase 2 (June 6):
- Three helicopters (MI-17 and Cheetah models) flew multiple sorties, evacuating the remaining 44 tourists and 17 locals.
- Evacuees were taken to Gangtok by bus, where medical teams were on standby.
“The terrain was brutal, low visibility, high winds, and landslides still active,” said a defense spokesperson. “Every flight was a risk.”
The Unsung Heroes of the Rescue
The mission’s success relied on coordinated efforts from multiple groups:
- Indian Army & BRO: Cleared landslides, restored roads, and provided air support.
- Local Hoteliers: Offered food and shelter to stranded tourists.
- Medical Teams: Set up triage centers at Pakyong Airport for incoming evacuees.
One pilot described the operation as “a dance between clouds and cliffs,” navigating just meters above collapsing slopes to reach survivors.
The Aftermath: What Happens Now?
While the tourist evacuation is complete, six Army personnel remain missing, and search teams continue combing the unstable terrain.
The Sikkim government has:
- Banned travel beyond Chungthang due to landslide risks.
- Urged better early-warning systems to prevent future tragedies.
“Sikkim is no more a blessed land,” lamented a resident on social media, reflecting the region’s growing vulnerability to climate-driven disasters.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Resilience
The Chaten landslide rescue was a test of human endurance and teamwork. Against impossible odds, responders saved lives, but the disaster also exposed Sikkim’s fragile ecosystem in an era of extreme weather.
As survivors return home, the mountains stand as a reminder: nature’s fury is unpredictable, but humanity’s resolve is not.
