Sikkim: Helicopter Evacuation Underway for Stranded in Landslide-Hit North
The Sikkim government arranged helicopter evacuations for stranded locals and taxi drivers from Chaten in landslide-hit North Sikkim, where road connectivity is severed due to heavy rain and landslides. Responding to distress calls, the helicopter sorties began from Pakyong Greenfield Airport. This follows earlier evacuations of around 2,000 tourists stranded in Lachen, Lachung, and Chungthang due to similar adverse weather conditions, disrupting road and telecommunication links in the region.
Unpacked:
In October 2023, Sikkim experienced a major Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak Lake, which devastated large areas and affected around 88,400 people. The region also has a history of frequent landslides and seismic activity, with an increase in landslides since the mid-1990s and a severe earthquake in 2011.
Sikkim is highly prone to landslides due to its location in the earthquake-prone Himalayas, steep altitude variations, and high rainfall. The region’s geography—with elevations ranging from 231 to 8,500 meters in a short distance—creates unstable slopes, making landslides and road disruptions frequent, especially during heavy rains.
Authorities have previously conducted large-scale evacuations, including airlifts, to rescue stranded people during disasters. After the 2023 GLOF, the government requested significant financial aid for recovery. Emergency services are regularly mobilized in response to landslides and floods, and efforts include restoring connectivity, providing relief, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure.
Long-term measures include improving early warning systems, better land-use planning, strengthening infrastructure against landslides and earthquakes, and requesting central government financial support for restoration efforts. There is also growing focus on ecological management and sustainable development to reduce vulnerability to such disasters.