Sikkim Floods: Toll Rises To 21, Over 100 Missing. Washed Out Roads Leave 3,000 Stranded

Flash floods in Sikkim have so far killed 21 people while a search is on for the missing 118 persons including 22 army personnel. Meanwhile, destroyed roads have left nearly 3,000 stranded.

Roads, houses destroyed due to flash floods following a cloud burst in Sikkim. ( Image Source :PTI )

Sikkim Floods: The toll due to flash floods in Sikkim has risen to 21 while 118 people are still missing as Army and NDRF teams continue a search for them through slushy earth and fast-flowing water in the Teesta river basin for the second day. A cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday triggered the flash flood leading to massive destruction in the state. Meanwhile, the West Bengal government said four bodies were identified as 'jawans'.

Out of the 23 army personnel who were missing from Burdang area, the bodies of seven have been recovered from different areas while one was rescued and the search is on for 15 missing jawans, Chief Minister P S Tamang said, as per PTI.

Chief Secretary V B Pathak said that more than 3,000 people including several bikers, foreigners and nearly 700-800 drivers are stranded in Lachen and Lachung, adding that they will all be rescued by helicopters of the Army and Air Force.

#WATCH | Sikkim Chief Secretary Vijay Bhushan Pathak says, "As per the checkpost data available, around 3000 people are stranded in Lachen and Lachung. 700-800 drivers are stuck there. 3150 people who have gone there on motorcycles are also stuck there...we will evacuate all with… pic.twitter.com/zFY1XbiaId

— ANI (@ANI) October 6, 2023

"As per the checkpost data available, around 3000 people are stranded in Lachen and Lachung. 700-800 drivers are stuck there. 150 people who have gone there on motorcycles are also stuck there...we will evacuate all with helicopters of the Army and Air Force. Army made those who are stuck in Lachen and Lachung speak to their families through voice over internet," the Chief Secretary added.

The floods have wreaked havoc in the state and severely destroyed the business of locals who survive on the income from tourism the state offers. The shops along the NH-10 near Rambi in Kalimpong which connects Sikkim and Kalimpong district are facing trouble as they're not getting customers.

#WATCH | " The situation is bad right now. Our livelihood is dependent upon the tourists that come here but right now, there are no tourists. But more than our livelihood we are worried for those who are trapped because of flashfloods, we hope they're rescued", says Swapna Gupta,… pic.twitter.com/Rvd7GAkaLS

— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2023

"The situation is bad right now. Our livelihood is dependent upon the tourists that come here but right now, there are no tourists. But more than our livelihood we are worried for those who are trapped because of flashfloods, we hope they're rescued", Swapna Gupta, shopkeeper, told ANI.