Sikkim flash floods: 5 killed, 30 missing including 23 Army Personnel; houses, roads and bridges washed away

As per government officials, five bodies have been recovered so far from Golitar, Singtam, while three people were rescued alive from the same spot

At least 5 people were killed and 30 people are reported missing, including 23 army personnel, in the devastating flash floods in Sikkim caused by a cloudburst near Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim on Wednesday.

The flash floods caused severe destruction in the Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi Districts of the state.

Following the cloudburst, water level of Teesta river swelled significantly washing away people, livestock and cattle, houses, roads, bridges and portions of National Highway 10.

A portion of the Chungthang Dam was washed away and this further added to the woes of the people as more water gushed in. This has posed a threat to the people residing in the lower areas till Jalpaiguri in North Bengal.

Portions of National Highway 10 at Melli have been washed away. Road connectivity to North Sikkim, bordering China, is snapped. The extent of damage in North Sikkim is still not known.

As per government officials, five bodies have been recovered so far from Golitar, Singtam, while three people were rescued alive from the same spot.

Singtam and its adjoining areas, which are close to the Teesta River, had been severely affected by the sudden rise in the water level early Wednesday morning.

In Singtam, four relief camps have been set up, and about 270 people have been shifted to the relief camp at Singtam Senior Secondary School.

As per the report from SSDMA, the following damages have been reported from the districts:

Mangan district: Chungthnag town in Mangan district has been completely cut off due to the collapse of Toong Bridge. The Phidang bridge has also collapsed amid the harsh current flow of the Teesta River. 23 army personnel have been reported missing from Lachen Valley.

At least four pucca houses at Phidang and two houses at Dikchu were washed away. The houses along the river line are in danger, and two GREF laborers are reported missing at Sangkhalang, as per information received from GREF sources, and one person is missing from Phidang.

The GREF Crusher Plant and Old Police Barrack have been washed away at Toong, and four people have been reported missing.

Forest Guest House and two units of government quarters at Sangkhalang have been swept away.

Gangtok: At least four people have been taken to Singtam Hospital. So far, the SDRF team has rescued 25 people from the area; more rescues are underway.

Namchi district: The LD Kazi Bridge and Indreni Bridge have been washed away. A relief camp has been set up at Namphing Sai Mandir. As of now, 500 people have been kept in the relief camps, and permanent relief has been set up at Pranami Mandir.
Pakyong district: One person has been reported dead in west Bengal, and two are reported to have sustained minor injuries, while one person is under observation at Rangpo PHC.

Copy edited by – Haynashree Narjary

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