Sikkim Flash Floods Death Toll Reaches 40
October 4 Flash floods in Sikkim take the death toll to 40 so far. A fresh alert has been issued along the Teesta River as another glacial lake is set to burst in the northern part of the state. Army and NDRF forces spent the second day wading through the waters of the Teesta river basin and downstream North Bengal to search for those who were swept away and at least 103 people are still missing.
3,000 tourists trapped across Sikkim
In addition, flooding has occurred in a number of Teesta basin towns, including Dikchu, Singtam, and Rangpo, as a result of the river’s increase. There are reportedly more than 3,000 tourists trapped across Sikkim. According to a statement from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), 22,034 individuals have been affected by the disaster and 2,011 people have been saved so far.
Since the flood waters that reportedly affected more than 20,000 people early on Wednesday, up to 102 persons, including 22 Army soldiers, have gone missing. A second Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) was about to occur in Thangu beyond Lachen in the Mangan district, according to a warning sent to the authorities.
The Gangtok district administration has already also sent out a warning. Authorities have evacuated inhabitants along the river belt because Shako Cho Lake, close to Lachen, is about to explode, according to sources. Late on Thursday night, the Gangtok District Magistrate issued the evacuation advice.
Sikkim Floods Weapons Washed Away in Teesta River
The settlement of Thangu lies next to the Shako Cho glacial lake. The lake lies 12 miles from Thangu and has a length of 1.3 km. According to a statement from the Indian Army, several military supplies, including weapons and explosives, were swept away by the Teesta river as a result of the heavy floods in Sikkim.
It warned people not to touch them and instead to report the presence of explosives or firearms to the local police station. The warning was issued when two people tried to touch a mortar that was purportedly carried away by the flash floods in Sikkim but was floating in the river in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, resulting in six injuries and two fatalities.
“We ask the public to exercise caution and to immediately report any strange or suspicious objects—including crates, packages, guns, and floating objects—to the local police station. The Jalpaiguri District Police and the Indian Army issued a warning, asking people not to handle the goods in any way because they could explode suddenly.
According to officials, the government has cleared the entire Golitar area in the Singtam district of Gangtok, the Dikchu area in the Mangan district, and the Rangpo IBM area in the Pakyong district. Following the discovery by satellite data of an unusual rise in the glacier temperature above Shako Cho, the administration issued the evacuation advice.
According to a representative of the district administration, “If the temperature stabilizes, there won’t be a problem. An evacuation advisory is in effect, nevertheless, out of caution. Any unexpected flow of water will already be at an elevated level, over the accumulated debris, and may cause damage because silt has already been deposited.
The situation at Shako Cho was recognized as precarious by experts who visited South Lhonak Cho and Shako Cho lakes in September of this year. The ongoing search for the missing Army personnel concentrates on the regions near the Teesta barrage. Officers reported that stocks were retrieved and army vehicles were being uncovered at the incident location in Burdang, close to Singtam.
In order to help with the search activities, more resources have been sent in, including crews from the Tiranga Mountain Rescue (TMR), tracker dogs, and specialized radars. The Indian Army’s TriShakti Corps troops were able to accommodate the 1,471 tourists who were present in the Lachen/Chatten, Lachung, and Chungthang districts, according to a statement from the Ministry of Defense.
There may be a window of opportunity for the helicopter rescue of stranded tourists on October 6 when the weather improves. The State Government, Indian Army, and Indian Air Force are jointly planning the same. All agencies are conducting a survey to evaluate the harm and plan the reestablishment of road connectivity.
The clearance of a single lane for vehicular traffic has restored the road link between Singtam and Burdang. Tourists who are trapped have also been urged by army officials not to panic and delay using satellite phone services. The Army has also given tea and other refreshments to the trapped tourists in Mangan.
In addition, the Army is offering food, medical care, and communication resources to trapped residents and visitors in north Sikkim. The majority of the visitors trapped in Lachen and Lachung have been identified in a list. If someone hasn’t been able to reach their loved ones yet, they can WhatsApp the information to 9906200205.
The Siliguri to Gangtok route around Siliguri- Sevok- Damdim- Gorubathan- Lava- Algarah- Pedong has been recommended by the Darjeeling traffic police. “It can require 7-9 hours. There are rumors that astronomical prices are being charged. We advise people to only travel if absolutely required, according to a Darjeeling traffic police official.
The Sikkim Services (Combined Recruitment) Mains Exam, 2023, which was slated to take place on October 14 and 15 has been postponed until further notice as a result of the circumstance. All public and private schools, colleges, and universities in the state will stay closed through October 15 owing to the prevailing bad weather, according to a circular from the state department of education.
Prem Singh Tamang, the chief minister of Sikkim, announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 4 lakh on Friday for the families of those who perished in the state’s flash flood. Those staying in shelters have also received immediate aid in the amount of $2,000.00. CM Prem Singh Tamang claimed there had been damages of Rs. 1,000 crore.
We are unable to provide precise information regarding damages; however, this information will be made public after a committee has been established and its investigation is complete. Our top objective is to rescue and aid individuals who are stuck right away. I have spoken with the President Droupadi Murmu, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other Union ministers, he continued.
They have promised to give me all the help I need. The transfer of $44.8 crore as an early payment from the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Sikkim to aid those impacted by flash floods has been authorized by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. In response to an order from Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reportedly constituted an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
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