Huge devastation in Sikkim – more than 102 including 22 army personnel missing, 14 dead so far

Gangtaki(EMS). There has been a lot of damage in Sikkim due to heavy rains and rising water level. So far, more than 100 people have gone missing in the floods while 14 people have died. The state of devastation is such that army vehicles are stuck in the debris and 22 soldiers are missing. However, relief and rescue operations are continuing. Many roads were washed away and bridges also collapsed in the flood that occurred on Wednesday. In such a situation, the Army has issued helpline numbers so that people can get relief. It is a matter of relief that news of relief has also started coming from the rescue operations. According to the army, the missing army soldier has been found and his treatment is going on. The condition of the soldier is stable. Gangtok Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mahendra Chhetri said, ‘Five bodies have been recovered from Goliter and Singtam areas. 3 of the dead were washed away in North Bengal. Apart from the army personnel, more than 80 civilians were still missing, while 45 people were rescued, including 18 injured, another official said.

166 people were rescued
Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat says that one of the missing soldiers has been rescued and is being admitted to the hospital and is being treated. It is hoped that our soldier will recover soon. Apart from this, 41 army vehicles are stuck in the flood deluge and efforts are being made to rescue them. The spokesperson also said that due to communication breakdown, a lot of difficulties are being faced in identifying the missing personnel. ‎Due to which NDRF has deployed 6 teams in South Bengal, 3 in North Bengal and one in Sikkim. The Sikkim government said that the flash flood has been declared a disaster. Another official said around 166 people have been rescued so far. In which an army soldier is also included. Defense spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mahendra Rawat said, the health condition of the rescued soldier is stable. Officials said rescue workers pulled out several bodies from the flood area of ​​Teesta river at Golitar in Singtam.

PM Modi took stock, learned the situation from CM
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed concern about the floods and devastation in Sikkim. While discussing the situation with Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, he assured all possible help. In a post on Instagram, PM Modi wrote, spoke to Sikkim CM and took stock of the situation in the wake of the unfortunate natural disaster in parts of the state. Assured all possible cooperation in dealing with the challenge. I pray for the safety and well-being of all those affected. The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), headed by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, reviewed the situation in Sikkim.

Defense Minister prayed for safety
The country’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh prayed to God for the safety of the army soldiers. He has said in a post written on X that the bursting of the glacial lake in Lhonak, Sikkim is extremely heart-wrenching. Relief and rescue operations are going on amid extremely bad weather. I pray for the well-being of those army personnel. Who are missing due to this tragedy.
Flood warning for North Bengal
Dikchu situated in the Teesta river valley area due to the spate in the river. Several towns including Singtam and Rangpo were also flooded. The education department said in a circular that all schools located in Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi districts will remain closed till October 8. Officials said parts of National Highway 10, the main link between Sikkim and the rest of the country, were washed away. He said a flood warning has been issued for North Bengal and Bangladesh, where the Teesta river flows.

Helpline number released
After this disaster in Sikkim, the Indian Army, which is engaged in relief and rescue operations, has issued helpline numbers. Where for information about North Sikkim, you can contact 8750887741, for East Sikkim, you can contact 8756991895 and for information about missing soldiers, you can contact 7588302011.

More than a dozen bridges collapsed
Officials said the flood situation in Sikkim, which started around 1.30 am, worsened due to the release of water from the Chungthang Dam. Sikkim Chief Secretary V B Pathak said more than 3,000 tourists from different parts of the country were reported stranded in different parts of the state. Pathak said that many employees working at Teesta Phase III Dam in Chungthang are also stranded. The Chief Secretary said the floods have caused extensive damage to road infrastructure as 14 bridges have collapsed. Of which nine are under the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and five belong to the state government.