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Toll in Sikkim flash flood rises to 26, search on for 142 people still missing

The flash flood, which was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has affected over 25,000 people, damaged more than 1,200 houses and washed away 13 bridges, bringing the picturesque Himalayan state to its knees.

sikkim flood affected area — People walk along the area affected by the flood at Golitar, in Singtam, Sikkim, October 5, 2023. Credit: Reuters Photo

Twenty-six bodies, including those of seven Armymen, have been recovered so far from the slush and debris of the flash flood in the Teesta river that devastated Sikkim, while the search continued for the 142 people who are still missing, officials said on Friday night.

So far, 2,413 people have been rescued from different areas and 6,875 people are taking shelter in 22 relief camps set up across the state, most of which has been cut off from the rest of the country.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased and an immediate relief of Rs 2,000 each for all those taking shelter in the camps.

“There have been damage worth thousands of crores of rupees. We cannot give exact details about the damage. It will be revealed once a committee is formed and completes its analysis. Our first priority is to save those who are stranded and provide them immediate relief,” he told

“Road connectivity between the districts has been cut off and bridges have been washed away. Communication in North Sikkim has been severely affected,” he added.

Of the 23 Army personnel who had gone missing from Bardang, the bodies of seven have been recovered from different areas downstream of Teesta, while one of them was rescued earlier.

The search for the remaining missing soldiers is continuing both in Sikkim and the northern parts of West Bengal through which the Teesta flows, the chief minister said.

At Bardang, Army vehicles have been dug out and stores were recovered, a defence statement said, adding that tracker dogs and special radars have been deployed for assistance in the search operations.

A total of 16 people, including seven Armymen, died in Pakyong district, while six people died in Gangtok and four people lost their lives in the Mangan district, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said in its latest bulletin.

The chief minister said that he has spoken to PM Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and some Union ministers, including Home Minister Amit Shah.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/toll-in-sikkim-flash-flood-rises-to-26-search-on-for-142-people-still-missing-2716378

18 dead, 98 still missing in Sikkim flash flood as search operation continues

Efforts to rescue 98 missing people in Sikkim flash floods continue as the death toll rose to 18. The calamity has affected over 22,000 people.

image of sikkim flash floods — A vehicle is seen partially submerged in water after flash floods triggered by a sudden heavy rainfall swamped the Rangpo town in Sikkim. (AP Photo)

The toll in the flash flood in Sikkim mounted to 18 on Thursday as Army and NDRF teams worked their way through slushy earth and fast flowing water in the Teesta river basin and downstream north Bengal for the second day in search of those who were swept away and are still missing, officials said.

Ninety eight 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, Chief Secretary V B Pathak said.

In a statement, the government of neighbouring West Bengal said four of the 18 bodies were identified as ‘jawans’.

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.

Pathak said that the Army activated their telecommunication facility and got many tourists to speak to their worried family members.

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.

Referring to the situation in Singtam town, hit badly by swelling in the Teesta river, Pathak said that the restoration of water and electricity infrastructure has been completed in Singtam and IBM, the industrial belt nearby.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited Singtam, one of the worst affected areas, and took stock of the situation.

“Our dedicated teams are working day and night to address the immediate concerns and challenges posed by this calamity. I urge the administration, local authorities, all organisations, and individuals to join hands in a spirit of solidarity and cooperation. Together, we can make a significant difference in providing relief to those affected and rebuilding our communities,” he said.

The chief minister wrote to the prime minister, and sought necessary support, especially for areas that needed immediate intervention, officials said.

The flood destroyed 11 bridges in the state, of which eight bridges were washed away in Mangan district alone. Two bridges were destroyed in Namchi and one in Gangtok. Water pipelines, sewage lines and 277 houses, both kuchcha and concrete, have been destroyed in the four affected districts.

The search for the 22 missing soldiers was continuing with a focus on the downstream areas as the fast-flowing river is likely to have carried them to the lower reaches towards northern West Bengal, officials said.

In Kolkata, the West Bengal government said in a statement, “Eighteen bodies have been recovered. Out of which six bodies – four jawans and two civilians – have been identified. The process of identification of the rest is being carried out.”

In North Sikkim, some choppers flew to Lachen carrying essential supplies like rice, pulse, salt and milk for the local people.

The chief secretary urged people to not believe in rumours related to flash floods.

Earlier, Pathak chaired a series of meetings with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Wholesale Retailers, Pharmacy Association, IOC Representatives, LPG dealers and distributors, petrol pump owners, and Taxi Drivers Association to take stock of availability of essential commodities, including fuel.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/18-dead-98-still-missing-in-sikkim-flash-flood-as-search-operation-continues-2445218-2023-10-06

14 Dead, 102 Missing In Sikkim Flash Flood, Missing Armyman Rescued

Over 3,000 tourists are feared stranded, said a government official. The Army said it has rescued one of the 23 Army personnel who had gone missing on Wednesday morning.

As many as 14 civilians have died and 102 people, including 22 Army personnel, are missing after a cloudburst over the Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim caused it to overflow, triggering flash floods in the Teesta river. A government official said 14 bridges have collapsed and over 3,000 tourists are feared stranded in different parts of the state.
The cloudburst occurred in the early hours of Wednesday and the swirling waters swept away parts of a dam at Chungthang, which is the state’s largest hydropower project, worsening the flooding downstream.

The Sikkim government has declared the calamity a disaster under the Disaster Management Act.

Amid the doom and gloom, the Army gave a heartening update on Wednesday evening when it shared that one of the 23 soldiers that had gone missing from Bardang near Singtam town has been rescued and his condition is stable.

Deaths, Destruction

A senior official in the Sikkim government confirmed that 10 people, all of them civilians, have died and 82 are still missing.

“As many as 14 bridges – nine under the Border Roads Organisation and five under the State government – suffered extensive damage and collapsed. Over 3,000 tourists are feared stranded,” said the official.

Around 14 workers working in Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang, parts of which were swept away, are still stranded in the tunnels.

Injuries and missing persons have been reported from Chungthang in Mangan district, Dikchu and Singtam in Gangtok district, and Rangpo in Pakyong district. Over 25 people have been rushed to various hospitals, the official added.

Mobile networks and broadband connections have been disrupted in Chungthang and most of North Sikkim due to fibre cable lines being destroyed by the flash floods in Sangkalan and Toong in Mangan district. The police station in Chungthang has also been destroyed.

Soldier Rescued

“Troops of Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army launched a massive search-and-rescue operation to trace the 23 missing soldiers. The search operations are being undertaken under conditions of incessant rains and fast-flowing water in the Teesta River with the roads and bridges washed away at many places. By evening, one soldier had been rescued and the search operation for the other 22 personnel continues,” an Army official said.
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The Army said family members of the missing persons have been contacted and informed about the situation and all other Indian Army personnel posted in Sikkim and North Bengal are safe and are unable to contact their family members due to disruptions in mobile communication.

Relief Efforts

The State government has made a request for three extra platoons of the National Disaster Response Force, which the central government has approved. One platoon of NDRF is already undertaking relief and rescue efforts in Rangpo and Singtam towns.

One of the three additional NDRF platoons will be airlifted to Chungthang for rescue operations. Food and civil supplies will also be taken to Chungthang once the weather improves for air connectivity, a state government official said.

To import necessities from Siliguri, Bailey bridges will be laid by the Indian Army and the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak said.

The State government has also set up 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu and Adarsh Gaon, which are the areas that have seen the most destruction.

‘Remain Vigilant’

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang said he had visited Singtam to take stock of the situation, and urged everyone in the state to remain vigilant.

“We are all aware of the recent natural calamity that has struck our state. Emergency services have been mobilized to the affected areas, and I personally visited Singtam to assess the damages and engage with the local community,” Mr Tamang posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/10-dead-82-missing-14-bridges-collapsed-in-sikkim-flash-flood-4450410

Sikkim Avalanche: 7 Killed in Nathula, 12 Injured; MHA Takes Stock of Situation, Search Op Resumes

The avalanche occurred around 12:20 pm at the 14th milestone on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg. (Photo: News18)

At least seven tourists were killed and 12 others injured in a major avalanche in Sikkim’s Nathula area on Tuesday. As many as 20 people have been rescued so far and the search operation has resumed today.

“By 3 PM, 14 persons were rescued and taken to nearby Army medical facility. However, seven persons succumbed. The other seven persons were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok,” Indian Army said.

The District Magistrate of Gangtok informed that rescue operations have been called off and there is no more requirement of the NDRF. He said that twelve injured are undergoing treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled deaths and wished speedy recover to injured.

“Distressed by the avalanche in Sikkim. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I hope the injured recover soon. Rescue ops are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected,” PMO tweeted quoting the PM.

Expressing condolences, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that his ministry is closely monitoring the situation.

“My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” Shah tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed condolences over the incident.

“Saddened by the loss of precious lives due to an avalanche in East Sikkim. Search and Rescue Ops are being carried out by the Indian Army, SDRF and other agencies. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he tweeted.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/massive-avalanche-sikkim-tourists-feared-trapped-snow-indian-army-rescue-operations-7464199.html