On June 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM, a catastrophic landslide triggered by relentless rainfall slammed into an Indian Army camp in Chaten, Mangan district, Sikkim. Three soldiers, Havaldar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur, and Porter Abhishek Lakhada, were killed instantly. Six others vanished under the debris.
The disaster didn’t stop there. Roads cracked like eggshells. Bridges over the Taran Chu River collapsed, severing access to Lachen, where 109 tourists were trapped. Power and phone lines snapped. Mangan was cut off from the world.
But within hours, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang launched one of the state’s most complex rescue missions. This three-phase operation would save every stranded tourist against impossible odds.
War Room Strategy: Tamang’s 24-Hour Blueprint
By dawn on June 2, CM Tamang convened a high-level meeting with the Chief Secretary, Planning Department, and disaster agencies. His orders were crisp:
- Restore connectivity first. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was directed to deploy “sufficient manpower and machinery” to reopen critical routes.
- Evacuate without delay. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) would airlift teams with satellite phones to Chaten for reconnaissance.
- Silence panic. Tamang’s public appeal, “We are with you at every step,” flooded social media and local radio.
The state officially declared the crisis a “Disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, unlocking emergency funds and central support.
Phase 1: The Foot Route Gamble
With bridges gone and helicopters grounded by rain, the Indian Army’s 112 Brigade carved a 12-km footpath through landslide debris between Lachen and Chaten. Local guides led tourists single-file over unstable terrain while soldiers carried the elderly and injured.
By the numbers:
- 113 tourists reached Chaten by June 4.
- 34 airlifted first (including 7 Army families) when the weather briefly cleared.
- Zero casualties during the ground evacuation, a testament to precision planning.
Phase 2: The Airbridge Race
Two MI-17 helicopters idled at Pakyong Airport, waiting for a break in the storms. NDRF teams marked landing zones with flares. Tourists were triaged: the injured and elderly evacuated first.
Logistical nightmares:
- Broken bridges necessitated a “transshipment strategy”; tourists moved in stages via both ground and air.
- Weather windows lasted just 2–3 hours daily, delaying sorties.
Yet by June 4, all 109 Lachen tourists were safe in Army camps or hotels, awaiting flights.
Phase 3: The Silent Heroes
This wasn’t just a government effort. Key players:
- Local villagers shared food and blankets with stranded tourists.
- BRO engineers worked 20-hour shifts to restore roads, using Bailey bridges from Army stockpiles.
- NDRF’s satellite phones relayed real-time damage reports when cell towers failed.
Why This Rescue Redefined Disaster Response
- Coordination beat infrastructure. No roads? No problem. Foot routes + airlifts filled the gap.
- Tourists first. Transparent updates (“No one left in Lachen”) prevented panic.
- Science-backed. Automated weather stations monitored glacial lakes to avoid repeat floods.
What’s Next?
CM Tamang has pledged ₹3,673 crore to climate-proof Sikkim’s infrastructure by 2026. For now, his message rings clear: “Stand together as one family.”.
Final Fact: This operation evacuated 1,800+ tourists statewide in 4 days, Sikkim’s fastest-ever rescue.
