Sikkim Flash Floods: 14 lives lost, 102 missing, including 22 soldiers
Sikkim government reports 11 bridges washed away and 22,000 people affected.
On the morning of 4th October, Sikkim witnessed devastating flash floods, claiming the lives of fourteen individuals, while 102, including 22 soldiers, remain missing. The state government reports 26 injuries and the evacuation of over 2,000 people. Eleven bridges have been swept away, impacting a population of more than 22,000, as stated by the state authorities.
Search operations in the affected regions are being conducted by various agencies, including the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The Indian Air Force is prepared for action, and the extent of the damage in the Northeastern state is evident from visuals shared by residents on social media.
The town of Pakyong in East Sikkim, in the Himalayan foothills, has recorded the highest number of casualties, with seven reported deaths. In the district, 59 individuals are missing, including 23 Army personnel.
There is concern that more than 3,000 tourists might be stranded in various areas of the state, which is a well-known holiday destination.
Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak has clarified that a cloudburst occurred over Lhonak lake in northwest Sikkim, causing a rapid increase in water levels. The overflowing lake sent torrents of water streaming toward the Teesta river, which traverses Sikkim and West Bengal before continuing its course into Bangladesh.
The India Meteorological Department reported that Sikkim encountered an exceptional rainfall of nearly 41 mm between 8 am on Tuesday and Wednesday. This amount was almost five times higher than the usual precipitation for this time of the year.
Due to washed-out roads and damaged bridges, state officials are concerned about a shortage of food supplies in the affected regions. To restore connectivity, the Army is mobilizing Bailey bridges, which are portable and prefabricated, aiming to reconstruct the vital links to the affected areas.
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