Sikkim Flash Flood Claims 33 Lives as Search Continues for Missing Victims

The aftermath of the devastating Sikkim flash flood continues to unfold, with the death toll rising to 33, including nine Armymen. The disaster, triggered by a cloudburst on October 4, has left a trail of destruction along the Teesta River, affecting over 60,870 people.

Source: https://www.millenniumpost.in/ 

The aftermath of the devastating Sikkim flash flood continues to unfold, with the death toll rising to 33, including nine Armymen. The disaster, triggered by a cloudburst on October 4, has left a trail of destruction along the Teesta River, affecting over 60,870 people.

Rescue and recovery efforts are in full swing, with search teams combing through the slush and debris left behind by the flash flood. As of now, 40 bodies have been recovered downstream of the Teesta River in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district, of which 10 have been identified.

The grim task of counting the exact casualties is ongoing as bodies continue to be discovered. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) is working tirelessly to gather and collate all available information, with the hope that the final casualty count will become clear in the coming days.

The search for the 105 people still missing is concentrated in various districts. Sixty-three individuals are unaccounted for in Pakyong district, 20 in Gangtok district, 16 in Mangan, and six in Namchi. The search operations have been bolstered by the deployment of special radars, drones, and Army dogs.

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The flash flood has not only claimed lives but has also severed vital transportation links. National Highway 10, a lifeline for Sikkim, has been rendered unusable due to road surface damage and bridge collapses. Efforts are underway to open and widen the route between Rangpo and Singtam.

While alternative routes to the state capital, Gangtok, are accessible through East Sikkim, North Sikkim remains cut off beyond Mangan. The ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) reported rescuing 56 people, including 52 men and four women, from the hard-hit Chungthang area in North Sikkim.

In response to the disaster, 30 relief camps have been set up across the state, providing shelter to 6,705 people who find themselves isolated from the rest of the country. Additionally, the flash flood caused extensive damage to more than 1,655 houses and swept away 14 bridges, further compounding the challenges faced by the affected communities.

As the search for the missing continues and relief efforts intensify, the Sikkim flash flood serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the resilience of the affected communities in the picturesque Himalayan state.