A day after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused a flash flood in the Teesta River watershed, killing 14, rescue and relief efforts have resumed to locate over 100 missing people, 22 of them are army men.
News18 spoke with Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak to discover more about the situation on the ground, and learned that 15 bridges have been washed away, nine of which were built by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the rest by the state. So far, ten dead have been recovered, and 19 rescue camps have been established to assist individuals who have become stuck.
"As of now, 104 people are missing, 22 of whom are army personnel." The situation has improved as the water has begun to recede. We are attempting to restore phone lines that have been damaged. Twenty-six people have been hurt, with some being admitted to a government hospital.
Pathak said they met with the Cabinet Secretary and other high officials and briefed them on the situation. "We informed them of the ground situation and requested more NDRF platoons to be airlifted to Chungthang." Some visitors are stranded in Lachem, and we have spoken with them about the issue. The bridges have been washed away, making rescue of the stranded tourists impossible. We will work with them whenever the weather improves.
He also stated that they are in contact with Bengal, and that the state has offered assistance once the flood levels have receded.
Pathak stated that the major challenge they were having was weather because the main area had been closed off, and hence the state had sought more forces as well as the ability to airlift individuals who were stuck.
SIKKIM HAS BEEN DEVASTATED
All ten people killed in the flash flood were civilians, including three who were washed ashore in north Bengal. One of the 23 army guys who went missing in the morning was eventually found.
The flood in Sikkim, which began about 1.30 a.m., was exacerbated by the discharge of water from the Chungthang dam, according to officials.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to assess the situation in the state and promised him of his full support.
"I spoke with Sikkim Chief Minister Shri @PSTamangGolay and assessed the situation in the aftermath of the unfortunate natural calamity in parts of the state." Assured full help in meeting the challenge. "I pray for all those affected's safety and well-being," Modi stated on X.
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