Army Rescues 150 Stranded Tourists from North Sikkim due to Snowfall

By Snigdha Som (TNI) | TNI Editing Siliguri

Webdesk, TNI Gangtok, 09^th January, 2019: In yet another swift humanitarian operation, Indian Army rescued over 150 stranded tourists amidst heavy snowfall in North Sikkim, saving precious lives in sub zero temperatures. Unprecedented snowfall in a span of two hours cut off the popular tourist destinations in Lachung Valley, rendering the tourists helpless. The troops of Trishakti Corps immediately launched Quick Reaction Teams including medical staff to locate the tourists in stranded vehicles, provide medical care and bring them to the nearest army camps. In just four hours, the army soldiers risking their lives, reached out to all stranded persons bringing sigh of relief on their distraught faces. One lady with fractured hand was given immediate medical care amongst many others who complained of dizziness, breathlessness and other high altitude related symptoms. All rescued tourists were being provided food, shelter and medical care at the army camps keeping in view the unabated snowfall and temperatures dipping down to minus 10 degrees. Choked with emotions, the tourists fell short of words to thank the Indian Army soldier, but the smile on their faces said it all. As per army sources, the rescue operations will continue through the night to locate any other tourist in the area. It may be recalled that earlier on 28 December 2018, Indian Army had evacuated over 3000 stranded tourists from Natula area in the biggest ever rescue operation carried out in Sikkim. In fact the social media is still flooded with messages of the rescued tourists, expressing their gratitude to the Indian Army soldiers who vacated their barracks and provided them with food, shelter and medical care.

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