Landslide hits army camp in North Sikkim, 3 soldiers dead, 9 still missing

A late-night landslide in North Sikkim’s Chatten area claimed the lives of three army personnel, with nine others still missing. Triggered by the rising water levels of the Lachen River, the landslide struck an army camp in the vulnerable hilly terrain near the Indo-China border.

The disaster occurred just 3 km from Lachen, one of the worst-affected regions by recent heavy rains and landslides. Rescue teams, including the Army and local authorities, have been actively conducting search operations. A press statement confirmed the recovery of three bodies while efforts to identify them and locate the missing soldiers are ongoing.

Simultaneously, large-scale evacuation efforts were underway. Around 1,600 tourists, including nearly 400 children, stranded in Lachung since May 30 due to landslides, were successfully rescued on Monday morning. However, about 150 tourists remain stranded in Lachen and are currently safe under the care of authorities.

North Sikkim continues to battle extreme weather, swelling rivers, and treacherous landslides. With key routes blocked and several villages cut off, fears of additional casualties remain high as rainfall continues to lash the region.