ARMY’S RESCUE OPERATIONS IN SIKKIM

New Delhi : 19 Sep 2011

The earthquake in Sikkim, with its epicentre in the Mangan area of the North District of the state, has caused damage to life, property, roads and communication infrastructure. The Indian Army which has a major presence in the state, as well as the adjoining areas of Darjeeling and New Jalpaiguri districts of Bengal has pressed into action approximately 5000 troops, heavy engineering equipment of its Combat Engineers, Army Aviation helicopters, logistic units for transportation and recovery and several medical detachment in an extensive search & rescue and relief operations, especially in the worst effected remote areas of North Sikkim.

Along with the Border Roads Organisation, the Army’s Combat Engineer units have been working continuously since the earthquake to clear up several roadblocks on the National Highway 31 leading from Siliguri to Gangtok and along the North Sikkim Highway leading from Gangtok to Mangan and other areas of North Sikkim. The road is now open for one way traffic movement. The road link to North Sikkim is likely to take more time to be opened. The Army’s communication units have been working to restore the telecommunications to North Sikkim.