Sikkim flash flood toll rises to 37, bodies found in Bengal, B'desh

KOLKATA/KALIMPONG/SILIGURI: The human toll in the glacial lake outburst flood caused by the high-altitude South Lhonak reservoir in North Sikkim imploding into a giant cascade down the Teesta basin soared to 37 on Thursday, including four of the 22 Army personnel reported missing since the catastrophe.

At least 79 people were still to be traced more than 24 hours after the flash flood coursed through several districts, raising fears of more casualties as the clock ticks away. The Army, whose camps in the region suffered extensive damage in the flash flood early Wednesday, hasn't officially confirmed if any of its missing personnel are among the dead.

Most of the bodies were found downstream of the Teesta at places in neighbouring Bengal like Gajoldoba, Mainaguri and Kotwali in Jalpaiguri; Kuchlibari and Haldibari in Cooch Behar; and Milanpalli and the Teesta barrage in Siliguri. A few floating bodies were also retrieved from Galibandha in Bangladesh.

Officials in Sikkim and Bengal said searchand-rescue operations had picked up pace with the rain ceasing overnight and the Teesta’s water level back to normal. Helicopter rescue operations did not start till late Thursday as both Sikkim Police and NDRF teams were awaiting IAF’s safety clearance. North Sikkim remained completely cut off for the second successive day, with the flash flood having washed away roads and destroyed telecom infrastructure at multiple locations.

“Repair of damaged stretches of the NH10 at Malli, Burdang and the LikhuvirSetijhora area is under way. Efforts are on to open alternative routes as well,” said DIG Tashi Wangyel of Sikkim Police. Wangyel said places beyond Chungthang, including tourist destinations such as Lachen, Lachung and Yumthang, were cut off even from the rest of Sikkim. The road beyond Mangan suffered extensive damage and may take weeks to be repaired.

A total of eight bridges were destroyed in the flash flood. The police station in Chungthang was washed away, but administration has since set up a makeshift one. A defence spokesperson said the Army’s Trishakti Corps had arranged emergency mobile connectivity for residents and tourists stranded in Chungthang, Lachung and Lachen. He said many tourists and locals had been rescued and provided shelter at relief centres.