Gangtok, June 5 -- Altogether 63 stranded tourists, including two US citizens, have been airlifted from landslides north district's Lachen and Chaten since the aerial evacuation started on June 3, official sources said on Thursday.

"An MI-17 helicopter transported 20 tourists, including two foreign nationals, ensuring their safe evacuation on Thursday", a revised communique said.

On Tuesday 33 stranded tourists were evacuated by the Indian armed forces helicopter when the NDRF was deployed to assist the ongoing search and rescue operations after the natural disaster struck on May 29 evening following cloud bursts.

"In a continued effort to rescue tourists stranded due to inclement weather and a challenging terrain, the second batch of ...