The Meteorological Department on Monday estimated light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning at several locations in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim over the next five days.
Sikkim: The sudden floods in Sikkim have caused tremendous devastation in the state. Many people have died due to this flood and many are still missing. According to information, 34 bodies including 10 army personnel have been recovered from silt and debris after the flood so far, While the search continues for more than 105 people who are still missing. The Air Force has started rescue and relief operations in the Himalayan state of Sikkim and transported the first batch of stranded tourists from Lachen to Mangan in northern Sikkim. Chief Secretary Prem Singh Tamang, VB Pathak, Chief Secretary for coordinated relief and rescue operations with the armed forces, Gangtok arrived at the review meeting with Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and other officers.
Carcasses were also removed in West Bengal
In addition to the reported deaths of 34 people in Sikkim, the Jalpaiguri District Administration in nearby North West Bengal said 40 bodies have been removed from the lower part of the Tista River. However, officials cautioned that there may be some duplication in the figures reported by both states. The Pakyong district of Sikkim has the highest number of deaths 22 people, including 10 army personnel. This is followed by six people killed in Gangtok, four in Mangan and two in Namchi. A total of 105 people are missing six days after the cloud erupted on Lhonk Lake in Mangan district. The Tista River was flooded due to cloud bursts, flooding many cities in the river basin in four districts of the Himalayan state.
More than 85 thousand people were affected by the flood
According to the Bulletin of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, 63 of the missing people are from Pakyong, 20 from Gangtok, 16 from Mangan and 6 from Namchi. 3,432 houses, both raw and paved, have been damaged. A total of 5,327 people have been transported to a safe place. A total of 14 bridges were either swept away or submerged, affecting road connectivity in the state. A total of 6,505 people have become homeless due to the sudden floods and have taken refuge in 26 relief camps in four districts. The number of people affected by the sudden flood was 85,870. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tamang convened a high-level meeting at his official residence where he called Chief Secretary VB Pathak and reviewed ongoing relief and rescue operations with Thal Sena Chief General Manoj Pandey and other officers.
Air Force has launched rescue and aid operations
An official said that the meeting was held in conjunction with the defence forces to discuss measures to protect the stranded people rapidly. A defence official said that the Indian Air Force has started a humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation in Sikkim and the first batch of tourists stranded from Lachen to Mangan by helicopter Safe place is transported. It also transported emergency service personnel and essential logistical goods to Lachen. The total number of tourists rescued in the first batch is not immediately known, but the Mi-17 helicopter used in the expedition has the capacity to carry 25–30 people. On ‘ ‘ Air Force Day, the Defense Officer said, Air Force Day launched a humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation from Bagdogra, an Air Force base for Sikkim flood victims. ’ ’
He said that the Air Force has started transporting Garuda commandos, communications equipment, fuel, medicines, and search and rescue equipment to the state by Chinook and MI17 V5 helicopters since Sunday The official said that the Eastern Air Command is coordinating humanitarian aid and disaster relief ( HADR) actions. He said that the Air Force is fully ready to reach the flood victims, which have devastated this small Himalayan state. The defence official said, ‘ ‘ helicopters have been prepared to take stranded tourists and local residents to safe places as the weather conditions improve.
Alerts issued by the Meteorological Department for the next five days
The Meteorological Department on Monday estimated light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning at several locations in sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim over the next five days. Meanwhile, the Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has said that they have recovered 40 bodies from the Tista River till now. Officials said 10 dead bodies have been identified so far. Officials said that since the dead bodies and debris left by the pheasant in both states are still being found, Therefore, after gathering detailed information, the total number of dead will become clear in the next few days.
Floods have caused tremendous devastation in Sikkim
Floods have caused tremendous devastation in Sikkim
