Sikkim flash floods: 16 foreign nationals among 176 survivors evacuated from flood-hit state

Sikkim flash floods: The Indian Air Force evacuated 16 foreign nationals among 176 survivors on Tuesday from flood-hit Sikkim where devastating natural disaster was triggered by a cloud burst that struck the Teesta river in Sikkim, resulting in widespread destruction.

Meanwhile, providing relief material to people stuck there, IAF also air-landed 9400 kg of relief material in the state. 

As part of the relief efforts, the Indian Air Force has positioned its Mi-17 V5, CH-47 Chinooks and Cheetah helicopters in the flood-hit Sikkim to evacuate those stranded in remote areas and to drop essential supplies to areas that have been cut off. 

Notably, Sikkim suffered significant disruptions due to the recent flash floods that inflicted damage on footbridges, roads, and other infrastructure.

The calamity has severely impacted road connectivity between districts, with bridges being washed away and communication in North Sikkim severely disrupted. 

Amid the catastrophe in the north-eastern state of Sikkim, following the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak Lake creating havoc across the Teesta basin in Sikkim and North Bengal, a total of 523 tourists were left stranded in the Lachen village out of which, two suffered casualties. 

The flash flood in the Teesta river, triggered by the cloudburst in Lhonak Lake, resulted in the accumulation of a significant amount of water. This surge of water caused destruction as it moved downstream, damaging power infrastructure, and flooding towns and villages.

Thirteen bridges in the State were destroyed, eight of them in Mangan district alone, along with three in Gangtok and two in Namchi. Chungthang town bore the brunt of the flood, with 80% of it severely affected. The crucial NH-10, considered the lifeline of the State, sustained extensive damage at several points.

- With inputs from agencies

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