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Human Interest
 
Army Rescues 1500 Stranded Tourists in East Sikkim
 
A heavy hail cum snow storm in the upper reaches of East Sikkim, on the evening of 24 April 2010, left more than 250 tourist vehicles and 1500 tourists, including ladies and children, stranded along the Jawaharlal Nehru Marg in the general area of Mile 17 and the village of Kyangnosla.  The sudden downpour resulted in multiple landslides and i ce formation a t many places  along  the  road,  which
resulted in disruption of road and telephone communications. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Black Cat Division immediately mobilized rescue teams from nearby Army units to rescue the stranded tourists and drivers of the vehicles to safety as also to provide food and shelter to them for the night. But for the efforts of the Army, the tourists would have been forced to spend the night in the open, in chilling and adverse conditions. The  task  was  made  even  more challenging due to poor  visibility  and  heavy  snowfall.
 The task of rescuing the tourists continued throughout the night and by about 3.30 A.M. all tourists had been rescued and were provided immediate medical attention, warm clothing, tea and refreshments, prior to their safe evacuation to various Army units. Jawans and officers alike moved out of their accommodation to provide the drenched tourists shelter for the night.

The tourists were also provided hot water, blankets and food.  They were very appreciative of the efforts of the Army in rescuing them. They were touched by the caring attitude of the men in uniform. A number of tourists raised patriotic slogans, while leaving the Army Camps, next morning.