Sikkim Flash Flood: Following flash floods in the Teesta River valley on Wednesday due to a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim, at least 14 people have killed and 102 others, including 22 soldiers, are still missing. Additionally, the catastrophe has had an impact on more than 20,000 people. One of the 23 army soldiers who had gone missing in the morning was later retrieved, according to officials, who spoke to PTI.
Prime Minister Modi Assesses Situation, Defence Minister Prays for Missing Soldiers
According to Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak, up to 3,000 visitors from different parts of the nation were reportedly stranded in various regions of the state. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to assess the status of affairs and to reassure him of his commitment to provide any assistance that may be needed. Rajnath Singh, the defence minister, prayed for the safety of the army troops who were reported missing. In a notification, the Sikkim government stated that the natural disaster had been deemed a disaster.
Chungthang Dam Release Triggers Widespread Flooding, Dozens Feared Missing
With the release of water from the Chungthang dam at almost 1.30 am on Wednesday, the flood situation in the state of Sikkim reportedly intensified, leaving over 3,000 tourists from various regions of the nation stranded in various areas of the state. A number of employees trapped in the dam’s tunnels included those working on the Teesta Stage III dam near Chungthang. According to early accounts, up to 49 individuals, including 23 soldiers, may have vanished when a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim caused flash floods in the Teesta River watershed.
Rescues Underway as Flash Flood Victims Located in Sikkim Districts
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was called into service with numerous teams for rescue and relief efforts. The majority of people reported missing and hurt as a result of the flash floods in Sikkim were from the districts of Chungthang in Mangan, Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok, and Rangpo in Pakyong. According to a representative, 166 individuals have so far been saved, including the soldier.
14 Bridges Collapse in Sikkim, Flood Alert for North Bengal and Bangladesh
Sikkim Chief Secretary reported that 14 bridges fell, nine of which were under the control of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and five of which belonged to the state government. A flood alert was issued for North Bengal and Bangladesh, two countries through which the Teesta River runs, while portions of National Highway-10, the primary route connecting Sikkim with the rest of the nation, were washed away.
Relief Camps Set Up, Bailey Bridge Construction Underway
PS Tamang, the chief minister, went to Singtam to assess the situation. In order to shelter the displaced people, the state government later established 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu, and Adarsh Gaon. The state government of Sikkim decided to build Bailey Bridge with assistance from the Army and National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in order to address the lack of ration and other necessities in the region.
Helpline Numbers Issues By Indian Army
- Army Helpline for East Sikkim – 8756991895
- Army Helpline No for North Sikkim – 8750887741
- Army Helpline for missing persons – 7588302011
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