In the wake of the devastating flash flood in the Teesta River, which wreaked havoc on Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, authorities have reported the recovery of 33 bodies so far, including those of nine Army personnel. More than 105 individuals remain missing, as rescue operations continue relentlessly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation, Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra said on Sunday.
The flash flood, triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of Wednesday, has severely affected 60,870 people.
According to news agency PTI, officials disclosed that, in addition to Sikkim, the Jalpaiguri district administration in West Bengal has retrieved 40 bodies from downstream locations along the Teesta river. To date, they have identified 10 of these recovered bodies.
The search for the 105 missing individuals remains ongoing, with 63 people unaccounted for in Pakyong district, 20 in Gangtok district, 16 in Mangan, and six in Namchi. Search teams have deployed specialised tools, including radar systems, drones, and Army dogs, to expedite the process.
So far, the recovery of bodies is as follows: 21 in Pakyong, six in Gangtok, four in Mangan, and two in Namchi.
The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) reported the successful rescue of 2,563 individuals from various isolated areas within the state, which has been largely cut off from the rest of the country.
The crucial lifeline of Sikkim, National Highway 10, has been rendered unusable due to extensive damage to the road surface and several bridges spanning the Teesta river. Authorities are actively working on reopening and widening the section between Rangpo and Singtam. Meanwhile, alternative routes to the state capital, Gangtok, are accessible through the East Sikkim district. However, road access beyond Mangan in North Sikkim remains disrupted.
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) successfully rescued 56 individuals in North Sikkim’s Chungthang area, one of the regions severely impacted by the flash flood. Among the rescued were 52 men and four women.
In response to the crisis, 6,705 people have sought refuge in 30 relief camps established across the state, providing essential support to residents cut off from the rest of the country. The disaster has also left more than 1,655 homes damaged and 14 bridges washed away across the four affected districts of this picturesque Himalayan state, PTI reported.
Sikkim Floods: Union MoS Ajay Mishra Holds Review Meeting With CM Prem Singh Tamang
Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra held a high-level meeting with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang in Gangtok on Sunday to assess the situation.
Mishra, who arrived in Gangtok for a three-day visit, discussed recovery and restoration efforts in the aftermath of the flood. The meeting centered on the coordination of resources, relief efforts, and strategies to expedite rescue and recovery operations. Mishra reaffirmed the Union government’s commitment to working closely with the state government to ensure a swift and effective recovery.
“Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra reaffirmed commitment of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah to collaborate closely with the State Government to ensure swift and effective recovery. Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang expressed gratitude towards the Government of India for prompt response and expressed commitment to work in tandem with the Central Government to expedite the recovery and restoration work. Both the leaders reiterated their resolve to work tirelessly to restore normalcy and extend support to those affected by the recent floods,” the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mentioned in a statement.
The Union MoS also visited disaster-affected areas in Naga in the Mangan district, as per the statement. He provided assurance of relief and assistance to the affected citizens, stressing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring the situation.
He underscored the urgent need to prioritise the rescue and relief efforts for individuals stranded in isolated areas, as per the MHA.