Indian rescue teams are facing immense challenges as they strive to reach flood-stricken areas in the northeastern state of Sikkim, where more than 140 people are currently missing. The situation has been exacerbated by persistent heavy rains, making access to these areas treacherous, officials reported on October 7.
The crisis unfolded when the Lhonak Lake breached its banks on September 27 following a cloudburst that triggered torrential rains and a suspected avalanche, leading to extensive flooding in the Teesta River region.
"We are waiting for weather conditions to improve, as only then can the air force and other rescue teams safely venture into the flood-affected regions," V.B. Pathak, the state's chief secretary, expressed.
The death toll has climbed to 44, marking an increase of 2 since October 6, as per a government official overseeing the ongoing rescue operations based in Gangtok, the state's capital.
In response to the disaster, hundreds of search and rescue personnel have been deployed across Sikkim, along with teams in the northern parts of the neighboring West Bengal state. Areas in proximity to the river remain on high alert, and tragically, fifteen army personnel are counted among those reported missing.
Fortunately, approximately 2,000 tourists who were located in the Lachung, Lachen, and Chungthung areas in northern Sikkim have been reported safe. The army has provided satellite phones to these tourists, enabling them to stay in contact with their families.
The floods have resulted in the destruction of at least 13 bridges, significantly hampering ongoing rescue operations. All bridges downstream of the NHPC hydropower station Teesta-V have either been submerged or swept away by the relentless force of the floodwaters. Furthermore, a crucial highway connecting Sikkim to Siliguri in West Bengal has collapsed under the weight of the floods.
In an effort to provide aid and support, local lawmakers are exploring the possibility of utilizing trekking routes to reach the disaster-stricken areas, as mentioned by Bandana Chettri, a spokesperson for the state's tourism ministry.
This catastrophic flooding event stands as one of the worst disasters to hit the region in more than half a century. It is part of a series of extreme weather events that have wreaked havoc in South Asia's Himalayan region and which scientists attribute to the effects of climate change.
Sikkim, a small Buddhist state nestled between Nepal, Bhutan, and China, is home to approximately 650,000 residents.
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