Former Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia Starts Campaign For Relief Work In Teesta

Bhaichung Bhutia has gathered the sports fraternity for a campaign ‘Play for Teesta’ which is targeted to raise funds for relief work.

After the devastating flash flood in Sikkim and West Bengal which claimed at least 70 lives, footballer Bhaichung Bhutia has gathered the sports fraternity for a campaign ‘Play for Teesta’ which is targeted to raise funds for the relief work. Through this initiative, sportspersons will raise funds through the game they play and send those funds to the people affected by the flood.

While speaking to ANI, Bhutia said, "We have just started a campaign yesterday 'Play for Teesta'. This includes the entire Teesta belt, Sikkim, and West Bengal, because Teesta goes through Sikkim, through West Bengal, and out of India to Bangladesh.”

He said that the entire belt has been affected by the flood. “We are trying to start a campaign to raise funds for relief work. So we have started a relief campaign from yesterday, where we are telling all people to play some sports, raise funds through those sports, and send those funds to the people affected by the flood,” he added, according to ANI.

“This is the biggest national disaster in Sikkim (flash floods) after 1968…I pray for all the people who have lost their near and dear ones. Whenever such big calamities happen, the first thing is to rescue. I think the Government has been working on that. Local people have also been involved,” he stated further.

Sikkim flash flood was triggered by a cloudburst in the early hours of October 4 over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim resulted in a flood like situation in the Teesta River in Lachen Valley and affected 60,870 people, said reports. So far 33 bodies have been recovered from the slush and debris of the flash flood in the Teesta River, including 9 Army personnel and over 100 people are still missing.

The flooding destroyed human habitations, an army camp, several hydel power projects and important roads, including NH-10, the state lifeline. The flash flood has completely destroyed the Army ammunition depot at Munshithang (above Chungthang) because of which the Teesta river basin has been filled with weapons, ammunition and explosives. It is difficult to clear the debris and the sludge, particularly adjacent to the river bank dwellings, which is endangering the people.

Meanwhile, troops of the Trishakti Corps Indian Army have started an operation as part of their massive efforts to establish surface travel connectivity in North Sikkim. The region suffered significant disruptions due to the recent flash floods that inflicted damage on footbridges, roads, and other infrastructure.