Sikkim Flash Floods: 34 Confirmed Deaths, Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Sikkim Flash Floods: 34 Confirmed Deaths, Ongoing Rescue Efforts

VoM News Desk | October 9, 2023 | 02:56 PM IST | Breaking News, Floods/Landslides/Event, Sikkim | Follow on Google News

Sikkim Flash Floods: 34 Confirmed Deaths, Ongoing Rescue Efforts

Sikkim Flash Floods: 34 Confirmed Deaths, Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The Sikkim government has officially confirmed 34 fatalities in the state due to flash floods triggered by a glacial lake burst last week. An additional 40 bodies have been discovered in the riverbed of the turbulent Teesta River in the neighboring Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Tragically, among the flash flood victims were eight Army personnel. So far, only 10 of the victims have been identified, including the eight soldiers, according to official sources.

Mass Evacuations and Cut-Off Regions

Over the past six days, more than 5,000 individuals have been evacuated from affected areas. However, rescue operations continue as parts of North Sikkim remain isolated from the rest of the state, making access challenging.

Search Operation for Missing Soldiers

The Indian Army has launched a search operation to locate its missing soldiers. Out of the 23 soldiers initially reported missing, one was rescued alive last week. The troops from the TriShakti Corps are actively assisting approximately 1,700 tourists who are stranded in Lachen, Lachung, Thangu, and Chungthang in North Sikkim. The Army is providing essential support such as food, medical aid, and communication facilities.

Challenges Amid Inclement Weather

Despite adverse weather conditions, the Indian Army is making every effort to ensure the safety of the stranded tourists until they can be safely evacuated. The inclement weather adds complexity to the ongoing rescue and relief operations, but authorities are dedicated to providing assistance and restoring normalcy in the affected regions.

This tragic event highlights the resilience and cooperation of the local community, the armed forces, and disaster response teams in their efforts to mitigate the impact of the flash floods and support the affected population.

VoM News Desk

VoM News is an online web portal in jammu Kashmir offers regional, National & global news.