Sikkim Flash Flood Toll Reaches 40; 76 Still Missing

Sikkim Flash Flood Toll Reaches 40; 76 Still Missing

VoM News Desk | October 18, 2023 | 12:18 PM IST | Floods/Landslides/Event, Sikkim | Follow on Google News

Sikkim Flash Flood Toll Reaches 40; 76 Still Missing

Sikkim Flash Flood Toll Reaches 40; 76 Still Missing

The devastating flash flood in Sikkim, triggered by a cloudburst on October 4, has now claimed the lives of 40 people, with the recovery of two more bodies. The disaster, which resulted from a flash flood in the Teesta river, has left 76 individuals still missing, creating a distressing situation for the region.

A State in Distress: 88,000 People Affected

The aftermath of the flash flood has been particularly dire, affecting about 88,000 people. Given Sikkim’s small population of approximately 6.10 lakh, according to the 2011 census, the scale of devastation is significant.

Recovery Efforts and Disturbing Statistics

Most of the bodies were discovered in Pakyong, where 26 bodies were found. These included 15 civilians and 11 armymen. Additionally, four bodies were found in Mangan, eight in Gangtok, and two in Namchi. The Teesta river, which carried away some bodies, has also contributed to the grim statistics, with bodies found in neighboring West Bengal.

Missing Persons and Relief Efforts

As the recovery and search efforts continue, 76 individuals are still unaccounted for. The missing persons are distributed as follows: 28 in Pakyong, 23 in Gangtok, 20 in Mangan, and five in Namchi. In the face of this crisis, 20 relief camps have been set up in the state, offering shelter to 2,080 people who have been affected by this tragedy.

A Possible Trigger: Excess Rainfall and GLOF

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the flash floods might have been triggered by a combination of excess rainfall and a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) event at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim. Investigations into the precise causes and response measures are ongoing as the region grapples with the aftermath of this disaster.

VoM News Desk

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