The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been engaged in a significant rescue and relief operation in the flood-ravaged state of Sikkim. On Tuesday, the IAF successfully evacuated 176 survivors, including 16 foreign nationals, who were stranded in the flood-affected areas, according to an official statement.
In addition to the evacuations, the IAF air-landed approximately 9,400 kilograms of vital relief supplies in the state. This material is crucial in providing assistance to the affected areas and communities.
The IAF has strategically deployed a range of helicopters, including Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks, and Cheetah helicopters, as part of their relief efforts in flood-hit Sikkim. These helicopters are instrumental in evacuating individuals stranded in remote and inaccessible locations. Moreover, they are employed to drop essential supplies to areas that have been cut off from conventional transportation routes.
Sikkim has endured severe disruptions and extensive damage due to flash floods triggered by the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake, causing havoc across the Teesta basin in Sikkim and North Bengal.
In the midst of this calamity, a total of 523 tourists found themselves stranded in Lachen village, a remote area of Sikkim. Tragically, two casualties were reported among the stranded individuals. Samdup Lepcha, the MLA representing the Lachen (Mangan) constituency, spoke about the dire situation in Lachen and assured that the majority of the tourists had been airlifted with the assistance of the army, following the directives of both the state and central governments.
The IAF’s relentless efforts in flood-hit Sikkim reflect the dedication of the armed forces to providing critical aid and assistance during this challenging period.
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