Death toll in the devastating flash flood in Sikkim mounted to 18 on Thursday as Army and NDRF teams worked their way through the rapid Teesta river basin and downstream north Bengal for the second day.Despite rigorous efforts, 98 people who were swept away and are still missing, officials said.
According to Chief Secretary V B Pathak, eighteen bodies have been found so far while 98 people, including 22 army personnel, remained missing after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday triggered the flash flood.
In a statement, the government of neighbouring West Bengal said four of the 18 bodies were identified as ‘jawans’. However, it is not immediately clear whether they were part of the 22 missing soldiers.
Flood scenario in Sikkim
Twenty-six people have suffered injuries and were undergoing treatment at various hospitals across Sikkim.
So far, 2,011 people have been rescued, while the calamity has affected 22,034 people, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said in a bulletin.
Pathak said that he was informed by officials of the Army’s 27th Mountain Division that the tourists who were stranded in Lachen, Lachung and adjoining regions in North Sikkim are safe.
According to estimates, over 3,000 tourists, including foreigners, are stuck in various parts of Sikkim.
Rescue operations underway
The evacuation of the stranded tourists was a priority and it has been decided to airlift them up to Mangan, from where they will be brought to Sikkim by road.
"If the weather holds good, the stranded tourists in Lachen and Lachung will be evacuated from tomorrow," the chief secretary said.
The Indian Air Force and Army helicopters were ready to fly to Lachen, Lachung and Chungthang on Thursday, but could not do so due to inclement weather, he said.
NDRF platoons are also ready in North Sikkim to start the evacuation process for the local people.
