Sikkim flash flood day 6: Death toll mounts to 55, one body recovered from Teesta Urja dam

The identity of the recovered body is yet to be confirmed

Copy edited by Bhargobi Khaund

The death toll in the Sikkim flash floods has risen to 55, with one body found at the Teesta Urja dam site in Chungthang. The identity of the recovered body is yet to be confirmed.

Based on information provided by drivers who walked from Lachen to Chungthang, it has been reported that the residents, drivers, and tourists in Lachen and Thangu are safe. However, some villages in the lower areas have been affected, and connectivity to these areas has been completely cut off.

Earlier, the TriShakti Corps of the Indian Army recovered 8 bodies out of 23 missing soldiers on October 4, with one soldier being rescued alive. The search for the remaining 14 missing soldiers is ongoing.

The TriShakti Corps of the Indian Army has expressed its unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of approximately 1700 stranded tourists, including 63 foreign nationals, in the remote regions of Lachen, Lachung, Thangu, and Chungthang in North Sikkim. Despite adverse weather conditions, the Indian Army is making comprehensive efforts to provide essential assistance to these stranded tourists, including food, medical aid, and communication facilities.

On October 8, a total of 89 tourists stranded in Lachen and Lachung were safely airlifted to Mangan, from where they will continue their journey to Gangtok in SNT buses. The ITBP has evacuated 56 civilians from Chungthang in North Sikkim.

The flash floods have had a devastating impact, with at least 52 lives lost, over 140 people still missing, and more than 41,000 individuals affected, marking it as the worst disaster to hit the Himalayan state in recent years. As per data accessed by Northeast Live, over 1,500 houses have been damaged in the state. So far, 2563 people have been rescued, and 2573 people have been evacuated.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang visited the affected Dikchu area to assess the damage and provide immediate relief to affected families on Sunday. A total of 11 houses were reported to have been damaged, and the Chief Minister offered Rs 50,000 in emergency relief to each affected family, with further government support promised after a thorough damage assessment. The Chief Minister also visited the Dikchu Dam site.

Also Read : Sikkim flash flood day 5: 89 stranded tourists safely evacuated from Lachen and Lachung

COMMENTS