Flash Flood Tragedy: Death Toll Rises To 25 In Sikkim, Intensive Search Underway For 16 Missing Army Personnel

The toll from the flash flood in Sikkim rose to 25 on Friday, as rescue operations continued for the third day in the Teesta river basin and downstream north Bengal. Army and NDRF teams navigated slushy terrain and fast-flowing waters in search of those swept away. Chief Minister P S Tamang informed that seven bodies of the 23 missing army personnel from the Burdang area were recovered, while one was rescued, leaving 16 still missing.

The calamity, triggered by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake, resulted in 143 people, including 16 jawans, going missing. The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority reported that 2,411 individuals had been evacuated, and over 22,000 people were affected.

The urgency of the situation arises from a glacial lake burst in the upper reaches of Sikkim, triggering flash floods and a subsequent glacial lake outburst. This event led to the release of water from the Chungthang Dam, significantly elevating the water level of the Teesta River on Wednesday morning. The repercussions of this natural calamity have resulted in widespread devastation across the Himalayan state.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang attributed the destruction of the Chungthang Dam to "inferior construction" by the previous government, particularly citing sub-standard work by the Sikkim Democratic Front during their 24-year tenure. The dam's collapse resulted in flash floods claiming 19 lives, with significant damage reported across the state, NDTV reported.

Roads and bridges, including 13 over Teesta, have been washed away, hindering relief efforts. The Chief Minister, prioritizing the rescue of 3,000 stranded tourists, noted collaboration with the central government for airlifting teams. Rebuilding plans will involve a team of technical experts, but the Chief Minister emphasized the scale of the disaster. Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured support in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Chungthang town suffered the most, with 80 percent of it severely affected. The NH-10, a crucial lifeline for the state, sustained extensive damage at various locations. The civilian casualties included six in Gangtok, four each in Mangan and Pakyong. The search for the 15 missing army personnel continued near the Teesta barrage, PTI reported. 

In Burdang, where the incident occurred, army vehicles were recovered, and stores were found as search operations utilized tracker dogs and special radars. The army successfully accounted for 1,471 stranded tourists in Lachen, Laching, and Chungthang. With improved weather conditions on Friday, there is hope for helicopter evacuations of stranded tourists.

Survey efforts are underway to assess the damage, and plans for the restoration of road connectivity are being formulated. The road link between Singtam and Burdang has been partially restored for vehicular traffic.

Unprecedented Danger Looms in Teesta River: Mortar Shell Explosion Raises Alarms in Jalpaiguri

At least two lives were lost, and four individuals sustained injuries in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district when a mortar shell, believed to be of military origin, exploded on Thursday. The incident unfolded in Chapadanga village as floodwaters from the Teesta River, swollen by a cloudburst and flash floods in Sikkim, carried the explosive device downstream.

Local reports suggest that the tragedy occurred when an individual attempted to dismantle the mortar shell, intending to sell it as scrap metal. The injured have been hospitalized, with the condition of two individuals deemed critical, raising concerns of a potential rise in the death toll.

In response, the Jalpaiguri Police issued a public advisory, urging residents to refrain from handling any firearms or explosives found in the river. The notice highlighted the potential dangers arising from military equipment, emphasizing the risk of dangerous explosions.

The Sikkim government echoed the warning, cautioning people against venturing into the Teesta River basin. The advisory from the state's Land Revenue & Disaster Management Department emphasized the possibility of explosives and ammunition concealed beneath the muddy waters, urging extreme caution to prevent inadvertent explosions.

Both local and state authorities have called on the public to promptly report any suspicious objects or materials detected in the river basin, underscoring the need for collective vigilance to avert further tragedies.