Sikkim Floods Claim 37 Lives, 78 Missing, Inclement Weather Hampers Rescue Operations

In a tragic turn of events, the Sikkim flash flood disaster has claimed 37 lives, with 78 people still missing, causing anguish and concern among authorities and the affected communities. The catastrophe was triggered by a cloudburst that unleashed a torrent of water, causing havoc in the region. This crisis has been further exacerbated by inclement weather, which has hindered air evacuation efforts, leaving residents and tourists stranded in precarious conditions.

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In a tragic turn of events, the Sikkim flash flood disaster has claimed 37 lives, with 78 people still missing, causing anguish and concern among authorities and the affected communities. The catastrophe was triggered by a cloudburst that unleashed a torrent of water, causing havoc in the region. This crisis has been further exacerbated by inclement weather, which has hindered air evacuation efforts, leaving residents and tourists stranded in precarious conditions.

Pakyong district bore the brunt of the disaster, accounting for 24 fatalities, including the loss of ten army personnel. Meanwhile, seven lives were lost in Gangtok, four in Mangan, and two in Namchi districts, highlighting the widespread impact of this natural calamity. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has reported that 78 individuals remain missing in various towns within the Teesta River basin across the four affected districts.

Amidst this grim situation, the SSDMA has managed to rescue or evacuate approximately 6,001 people from the flood-affected areas. However, the number of injured individuals stands at 30, underlining the severity of the crisis. The count of people affected by the flash flood has reached a staggering 87,300, indicating the widespread devastation that has unfolded.

As a response to the disaster, the authorities have set up 24 relief camps in the four districts, providing shelter to a total of 3,773 people who were rendered homeless due to the flood. The road network in the state has also suffered extensive damage, with 16 bridges, including nine in the severely affected Mangan district, either submerged or washed away by the gushing waters.

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Efforts to evacuate stranded tourists and locals from north Sikkim have faced significant challenges due to adverse weather conditions. The Planning & Development Secretary, R C Bhutia, stated, "Due to unfavorable weather conditions, the air evacuation operation from Lachung and Lachen in north Sikkim could not take place today." However, it is anticipated that air evacuation operations will resume as soon as the weather improves, offering a glimmer of hope in these trying times.

The situation in Sikkim remains precarious, with rescue and relief operations ongoing and the community coming together to face this immense challenge posed by the flash flood and inclement weather.