All stranded tourists evacuated from Chaten; search for missing army personnel continues amid ongoing rescue operations

All tourists stranded in Chaten—one of the worst-affected areas by recent landslides and flash floods—have been successfully evacuated, confirmed Mangan District Collector Anant Jain on Friday. The final phase of this large-scale operation saw Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters airlift the remaining 63 tourists from the remote region on Thursday, with additional sorties resuming on Friday morning as weather conditions improved.

This complex evacuation was conducted through close coordination between the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and local administration. Earlier in the week, over 1,600 tourists were rescued by road from Lachung and Lachen valleys, safely navigating difficult terrain under challenging weather. Many of those rescued included elderly people and children, highlighting the urgency and sensitivity of the mission.

Despite the successful evacuation of civilians, the situation remains critical for the Indian Army, which continues search and rescue operations following a devastating landslide on June 3 that severely damaged military installations in Chaten. Three soldiers have lost their lives, and four others are injured. Rescue teams are still searching for additional personnel reported missing amid the unstable terrain and adverse weather conditions.

Efforts to restore essential road connectivity are ongoing, with BRO teams focusing on damaged stretches near Dedkola and Chungthang. Authorities estimate that critical routes may take another two to three days to be fully operational. Meanwhile, civilian movement beyond Chungthang remains restricted to ensure safety.

District Collector Anant Jain lauded the relentless teamwork of all involved agencies and the local community. “Our priority was the safety of every stranded individual. We are deeply grateful to the Indian Air Force and ground teams for their unwavering dedication,” he said.