New Delhi:
Nearly 142 people are missing while 26 bodies have been found so far following floods in north Sikkim, officials said on Saturday.

A glacial lake eruption south of Lhonak Lake, north of Sikkim, on the night of October 3-4 caused devastating floods in the northeastern state of Sikkim.

The Teesta River rose approximately 50 to 60 feet, causing catastrophic flooding downstream. Large-scale damage to infrastructure, property and loss of life were reported.

According to state government estimates, a total of 142 people are missing, of which 26 bodies have so far been found. There is currently no accurate assessment of damage caused by bad weather and continuous rain.

Announcing the rescue operation, officials familiar with the developments said: “The Indian Army deployed in the area was also affected as several camps along the banks of Teesta river were damaged/washed away. A parking area in Burdang, near Singtam, was affected by flash floods, with 23 soldiers and 39 vehicles halted in transit overnight being submerged in mud or swept away.

At the scene, a significant amount of mud, up to 30 to 40 feet high, accumulated, burying most of the vehicles underneath. A massive search and rescue mission was quickly launched through a collaborative effort involving the Indian Army, BRO, NDRF, National Disaster Relief Team, Military Forces, Police, civil administration and local people of Sikkim and North Bengal.

On the evening of October 4, a soldier was rescued by villagers about 18 km downstream from Burdang. This individual is currently in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. So far, a total of 26 bodies have been recovered from various areas along the river in north Bengal and four bodies have been handed over by the Bangladesh Border Force. Of the 26 bodies found, eight were identified as Indian Army soldiers. The last rites of Naik Bimal Oraon of Alipurduar took place on October 6, 2023, with full military honors. The remains of the four soldiers were brought back to their hometown on October 7 for the final ceremony in the presence of family members.

Autopsies are being conducted to find two remains, while the search for the remaining 14 soldiers continues. Bulldozers and heavy equipment have been deployed to search the scene of the Burdang incident. Since October 6, 2023, radar systems (Leo Life Detection Radar, REECO Radar) and Military Dogs have been used. To date, 15 of the 39 missing cars have been found. Ammunition, explosives, and military stores from various camps were reported along the downstream bank. The Indian Army has issued advisories through the civil administration and deployed surveillance teams, along with state police, to alert people about any sightings of such objects. Ammunition experts were tasked with safely destroying the recovered explosives.

National Highway 10 (NH 10), an important artery of Sikkim, was heavily damaged on the road surface and several bridges over the Teesta river. Efforts are underway to reopen and widen the stretch between Rangpo and Singtam.

Alternative routes to Gangtok are accessible via East Sikkim, while routes to West and South Sikkim remain open. However, in North Sikkim, Manganese crossing roads are currently cut. Lt Gen RP Kalita, GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, along with Lt Gen VPS Kaushik, GOC Trishakti Corps, conducted an aerial survey on 6 October 2023 to assess the extent damages and planning for relief efforts. The BRO Director General, in coordination with Indian Army engineers, NHIDCL and state government officials, is assessing the damage and conducting surveys to restore road connectivity. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to establish a gateway to Chungthang. Indian Army and Indian Air Force helicopters are carrying out emergency resupply and evacuation missions, although bad weather and incessant rain have posed a challenge to air operations.

An estimated 1,500 tourists are stranded in the Lachung and Lachen valleys in north Sikkim. The Indian Army, in coordination with local authorities, is assisting stranded tourists and locals by providing them food, medical aid and satellite phone connections.

The groups compiled data on tourists staying at various hotels, some staying in military camps. Special helplines have been set up at the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps Command and family members of all stranded tourists have been informed about their health condition. Despite the impact on the Sikkim hinterland, the operational situation along the Line of Actual Control in Sikkim remained stable. Units responsible for border management maintain high readiness and optimal logistical support. The Indian Army, along with all civil authorities and agencies, continues search and rescue operations relentlessly, while focusing on restoration of communications and other infrastructure through well-coordinated efforts.