Sikkim floods: 55 dead, 141 missing as rescue efforts intensify

Sikkim is reeling from a catastrophic disaster caused by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake, resulting in flash floods in the Teesta river basin. This natural calamity has claimed the lives of at least 55 people, including eight Indian Army personnel, and left over 140 individuals missing.

The Indian Army is leading search and rescue efforts to locate the missing soldiers and civilians. As of now, 14 soldiers remain unaccounted for, and the operations are still in progress.

Widespread impact: loss of lives and homes

The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) reports that 2,413 people have been rescued from affected areas, while 1,203 houses have suffered damage due to the floods. Approximately 25,065 people have been affected by this disaster, with 6,875 individuals relocated to relief camps. The floods have also inflicted significant damage to bridges and roads, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the affected communities.

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Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Kumar Mishra, held a meeting with Sikkim's Chief Minister, Prem Singh Tamang, to discuss the crisis. Mishra assured that the government is closely monitoring the situation and is actively providing support and assistance to the state.

The Indian Army expressed its condolences for the loss of eight soldiers in this tragic event. They emphasized that concerted search and rescue operations are ongoing to locate and save the remaining 14 missing soldiers, along with other civilians in distress.

CM assesses damage and raises concerns

Sikkim's Chief Minister visited the flood-affected areas and relief camps to assess the situation firsthand. He highlighted that the flash floods were exacerbated after the 1200 MW dam in Chungthang broke, and he raised concerns about substandard construction work by the previous government.

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This disaster underscores the urgent need for swift and coordinated efforts to address the immediate needs of the affected population and to implement long-term measures to prevent such calamities in the future.