Sikkim: Border Roads Organisation's heroic rescue mission saves lives on Singtam-Dikchu road

In a daring and commendable operation, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) rescued a stranded vehicle and its passengers from the treacherous Singtam-Dikchu road on June 12. Heavy rainfall triggered a sudden deluge, transforming a small cascade into a mighty waterfall that washed away a section of the road. Unaware of the weather conditions, a Mahindra Bolero vehicle carrying four passengers and a driver attempted to cross the waterfall around 3:30 am. However, the force of the water proved too powerful, sweeping away the vehicle. Fortunately, it became lodged against sturdy boulders, preventing it from plummeting into the abyss below.

Prompt action was taken as the nearest BRO detachment of Project Swastik received the distress call. The brave BRO Karamyogis swiftly arrived at the scene, where they found the passengers and the driver trapped inside the vehicle. The doors were jammed by the boulders on one side, while the relentless water current obstructed their attempts to open the doors on the other. Undeterred by the danger, the courageous Karamyogis braved the force of the massive waterfall, reaching the vehicle and reassuring the stranded individuals of their imminent rescue. Displaying remarkable strength and determination, the BRO personnel worked tirelessly to ensure the vehicle remained stable, employing safety measures to extricate the passengers. After nearly an hour of relentless efforts, the BRO successfully rescued all occupants by 5:30 am.

However, due to the formidable water force, manually extracting the Bolero vehicle proved impossible for the BRO team. The commanding officer swiftly directed the assembly of all nearby earthmoving equipment to prevent the vehicle from descending into the valley. The JCB, dozer, tracked excavator, and paver were all deployed. With meticulous planning and prioritizing safety precautions, the BRO managed to retrieve the Bolero vehicle by 9:30 am.