Flash Floods in Sikkim Claim 18 Lives, 98 Missing, Indian Army Joins Rescue Efforts

Kolkata: The death toll due to the flash floods in Sikkim rose to 18 on Thursday, even as the number of missing people went up to 98, including 22 soldiers of the Indian Army.

According to Sikkim chief secretary V.B. Pathak, 26 people were injured in the mishap. Military choppers are on standby to join rescue operations after the weather improves.

Over 22,000 people have been affected, while 11 bridges were washed away in the after flash floods in the Teesta river due to a cloud burst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, early on October 4.

The state government stated that of the 18 bodies recovered in Sikkim, six were identified. Among them, four were soldiers while two were civilians. However, there has been no confirmation from the Eastern Command of the Indian Army about the recovery of the four soldiers' bodies.

Meanwhile, the Sikkim government has ordered the closure of all academic institutions in the state "due to the prevailing inclement weather."

"In view of the unprecedented emergency situation created by flooding in Teesta river, all tourists planning to visit Sikkim are advised to postpone their travel to a later date after the situation normalises," the state tourism and civil aviation department stated.

"Those stranded in Mangan District are requested not to panic as the state government has assured to extend all possible help and support in the evacuation process starting from October 6, subject to weather conditions. Furthermore, it is to inform that all the tourists stranded at Lachung and Lachen areas are safe and nothing adverse has been reported so far."

During the day, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang chaired a meeting with government officials to expedite the rescue and relief operations.

Over 2,000 people have been evacuated and placed in relief camps. Worst affected areas include Chungthang, Mangan, Pakyong, Dzongu, Dikchu, Makha, Singtam, Majhitar and Rangpo. The catastrophe in Sikkim has resulted in floods in the northern region of neighboring West Bengal as the two states are connected by the Teesta river, as the water level has been on the rise.

The West Bengal government stated that 11 persons - 10 from Rangpo forest valley and one from Tarkhola at Lava in Kalimpong district, situated just on the Sikkim border, are . 3,584 persons have taken shelter at 25 relief camps in four districts - Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar.