The death toll resulting from the flash floods in Sikkim has reached 14, with more than 100 people reported missing, including 22 army personnel. An additional 26 individuals are currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during the disaster, which was triggered by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim, according to media reports.
In response to the crisis, emergency services have been swiftly mobilized, and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has issued an advisory urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel at this critical juncture. The Sikkim government has also established helpline numbers to provide assistance to those in need.
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While some on-ground reports have suggested a death toll as high as 40, efforts are currently underway to confirm the exact number of casualties. Those missing or injured come from various regions, including Chungthang in Mangan district, Dikchu and Singtam in Gangtok district, and Rangpo in Pakyong district.
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has issued directives for the prioritized evacuation of individuals stranded in the tunnel of the Chungthang dam and for tourists. More than 3,000 tourists from different parts of the country find themselves stranded in Sikkim due to the ongoing disaster, according to Sikkim Chief Secretary V B Pathak.
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The torrential rainfall has caused substantial damage, particularly in the Industrial Belt (IBM) at Rangpo, which is situated along the banks of the Teesta River. To address the immediate needs of affected individuals, the state government has established 18 relief camps in Singtam, Rangpo, Dikchu, and Adarsh Gaon. In Chungthang, the Indian Army is taking the lead in setting up relief camps due to connectivity challenges.
A total of 14 bridges have collapsed in the wake of the disaster, with nine of them under the responsibility of the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and the remaining five under the state government. The National Highway-10, which connects Gangtok to Siliguri, has been completely washed away near the Likhuvir-Setijhora stretch. Urgent repair work will commence once the water levels in the Teesta River recede.
The disaster has highlighted the vulnerability of Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim to a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). Documents reveal that multiple agencies and expeditions have raised concerns about the potential threat posed by the lake over the past decade. The affected townships, including Chungthang, Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo, were identified as being at the highest risk of such a disaster.
The Indian Army has initiated three helplines to aid families searching for their missing loved ones in Sikkim, including soldiers from their own ranks. For assistance in North Sikkim, individuals can dial 8750887741, while for East Sikkim, the helpline number is 8756991895. For inquiries related to the 22 missing soldiers, a dedicated helpline has been set up at 7588302011.
