44 Dead as Severe Flooding Hits Sikkim, Rescue Efforts Underway
In a devastating turn of events, the state of Sikkim in India has been severely ravaged by flooding, leaving 44 people dead and many others in need of rescue. The death toll has risen by 2 since Friday, according to a government official overseeing the rescue operations. The state’s capital, Gangtok, is at the forefront of the rescue efforts.
The challenging weather conditions have made it difficult for rescue teams, including the air force, to venture into the flood-hit areas. The state’s chief secretary, V.B. Pathak, explained that they are anxiously waiting for the weather to improve before deploying rescue personnel. As a result, thousands of residents in the affected areas anxiously await any means of rescue and relief.
To address the dire situation, hundreds of search and rescue personnel have been deployed across Sikkim and in the northern parts of the neighboring West Bengal state. High alert has been issued for areas near the river, and efforts are underway to locate fifteen missing army personnel.
In the midst of this chaos, some positive news emerges as around 2,000 tourists stranded in the Lachung, Lachen, and Chungthung areas of north Sikkim have been reported safe. The army has provided them with satellite phones, enabling them to communicate with their families. Despite this glimmer of hope, the devastation caused by the floods cannot be ignored.
The impact on infrastructure has been significant, with at least 13 bridges being washed away, hindering rescue operations. Furthermore, all bridges downstream of the NHPC hydropower station Teesta-V have either been submerged or destroyed. Additionally, a key highway that connected Sikkim with Siliguri in West Bengal has collapsed due to the floods.
In an attempt to reach the disaster-hit areas, local lawmakers are exploring alternative routes, including trekking paths. The state’s tourism ministry spokeswoman, Bandana Chettri, mentioned that these routes are being considered as an option to assist in rescue and relief operations.
This flooding catastrophe is one of the worst disasters to hit the region in over 50 years. It is also the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have caused widespread damage in the Himalayas, with scientists attributing these occurrences to climate change. Sikkim, a small Buddhist state nestled between Nepal, Bhutan, and China, is home to approximately 650,000 people.
As rescue efforts persist, the focus remains on providing aid to those affected by the floods. The situation in Sikkim necessitates urgent attention and support, as the region grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster.
[Reporting by Subrata Nag Choudhury; Writing by Rupam Jain; Editing by Edwina Gibbs]
