The Indian Army on Friday rescued around 400 tourists who were stranded in north Sikkim amid torrential rains that triggered landslides and blocked roads.

Troops of Trishakti Corps posted in the upper reaches of the Himalayan state that sits on the India-China border swung into action and rescued the tourists from Chungthang. These tourists were headed for Lachen and Lachung, two tourist hotspots in northern Sikkim when rains and landslides halted their trip.

“The tourists were shifted to three different army camps and given hot meals and clothes. Troops posted in the camps vacated their barracks for the tourists and make them comfortable for the night,” said a source.

Among those who were rescued were 216 men, 113 women and 54 children.

Over the past couple of days, Sikkim witnessed rainfall like some other parts of the sub-Himalayan region. On Friday, it rained heavily in north Sikkim, with landslides in some locations.

“As a result, the roads connecting Lachen and Lachung got blocked. Tourists in vehicles got stuck,” the source added.

Once tourists were rescued and brought to the camps, three medical teams examined all tourists and found them stable. However, past midnight, a woman who visited Gurudongmar Lake earlier in the day complained of severe headache and dizziness.

“A medical team led by a lady medical officer from the field hospital was rushed to the location. The team detected signs of acute mountain sickness in the tourist who then got intensive medical care.... She was stable by Saturday morning,” said an army officer.

Efforts are on to clear the roads for traffic to resume.

“Tourists will get all help until the route is cleared for their journey,” an army source said.

Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network, praised the army’s efforts, but added that tourists must check the weather forecast before visiting Sikkim.