A devastating landslide struck an Indian Army camp in Chatten, North Sikkim late Sunday night, killing three soldiers and leaving nine others missing. The incident occurred after the Lachen River swelled due to continuous rainfall, triggering the landslide that engulfed the military facility.
Four personnel with minor injuries were rescued. While the mortal remains of Havildar Lakhwinder Singh, Lance Naik Munish Thakur & Porter Abhishek Lakhada were recovered.
Authorities confirmed that rescue operations were underway, with teams working through challenging terrain and weather conditions. “Three bodies of army personnel have been recovered and nine army personnel are missing. Search operation by the army is going on,” said Arun Thatal, sub-divisional police officer of Chungthang in Mangan district.
A press statement from the Army corroborated the casualties and stated that efforts to identify the deceased and locate the missing were in progress. The landslide also caused damage to nearby infrastructure, intensifying the already critical situation in the region.
The disaster comes amid widespread disruption in North Sikkim caused by relentless rain and landslides. On Monday morning, over 1,600 tourists who had been stranded in Lachung since May 30 were rescued after debris was cleared late Sunday night. “The tourists, including around 380 children, were safely evacuated. Around 150 tourists are still stranded in Lachen but they are safe and staying in hotels. NDRF teams are present in the area,” said Mangan district collector Anant Jain.
Last week, a separate tragedy struck when nine people, including eight tourists, went missing after their vehicle plunged into the swollen Teesta River. All are presumed dead as search efforts have yet to yield any results.
Located at altitudes above 2,700 metres, Lachen and Lachung are key transit points for tourists heading to Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley. These areas have been among the worst affected, with roads blocked, communication disrupted, and rescue work hampered by continuing adverse weather.
The administration remains on high alert as rains persist and the risk of further landslides looms. Rescue teams, including the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, and local authorities, continue to operate in the region to prevent further loss of life and assist those stranded.
