Gangtok, June 7 (UNI) Braving harsh weather conditions, the Indian armed forces after airlifting all stranded tourists and civilians from Chaten, the last human habitation in north Sikkim, on Saturday successfully dispatched essentials, resorting to multiple sorties by helicopters, and brought back 76 personnel to the Pakyong Greenfield Airport, official sources said.

Marking an important step in the ongoing relief efforts, the first sortie of the day, two MI-17, departed from Pakyong, transporting essential supplies to Chaten, some 130 km at 9000 ft. The area has remained cut off from the rest of the world for the last 10 days.

The area has been ravaged by cloudbursts, landslides, which also swept away an Army camp killing three persons and six others, including a Lt Colonel.

Official sources said the helicopters transported 1,300 kg of relief materials, including both Army and civilian supplies, along with five officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department. On return the helicopters brought back 76 Army personnel in the first sortie, sources said.

"This marks the completion of the coordinated evacuation efforts from Chaten, which included the successful rescue of all stranded tourists earlier," a government communique said on Saturday.

"The air evacuation operation from Chaten concluded this morning with the final sortie of MI-17 helicopters transporting army personnel to Pakyong Greenfield Airport", the government said.

The government continues to closely monitor the overall situation and remains committed to providing all necessary support and assistance to those affected, the statement added.

All the tourists, who had been stranded since May 29 at Chaten, were airlifted safely on Friday.

Altogether 126 tourists, including two US citizens, who were forced to stay at Chaten, were airlifted in phases from June 3.

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