homeindia NewsSikkim flash flood: Military firearms, explosives carried away in Teesta; Army asks people to be alert
Sikkim flash flood: Military firearms, explosives carried away in Teesta; Army asks people to be alert
The death toll rose to 22 while 103 people, including the 15 jawans, remained missing after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday, October 4, triggered the flash flood.
Due to severe flooding in Sikkim, certain military equipment including firearms and explosives were carried away in the Teesta river. The Army has asked people to be vigilant and report any unfamiliar objects to the nearest police station.
"In light of the severe flooding in Sikkim, certain military equipment including firearms and explosives were carried away in the Teesta river. We urge people to be vigilant and report any unfamiliar objects, crates, packages, firearms, or any suspicious items to the nearest PS. Army has established lookout teams all along the river downstream," PRO Defence, Guwahati, issued a statement.
On day three after a flash flood wreaked havoc in Sikkim's Teesta basin, the death toll rose to 22, including seven army men. Of the 22 deceased, 15 have been identified as men, six as women while the gender of another body could not be ascertained as it was mangled.
Also read | Sikkim Flash Floods | Teesta project may not have factored in climate change, says expert
A total of 103 people, including the 15 jawans, remained missing after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim in the early hours of Wednesday, October 4, triggered the flash flood.
So far, 2,411 people trapped due to the flash floods have been evacuated, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) said in its latest bulletin. Altogether 7,644 people displaced by the floods have been sheltered at 26 relief camps in four affected districts.
Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has approved the release of Rs 44.8 crore as an advance amount from the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to Sikkim. The Ministry has formed an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), which will visit the affected areas of Sikkim soon to make an assessment of the damage caused due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), cloudburst and flash floods, according to an official statement.
The Centre has assured the Sikkim government of all possible help. The central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is standing shoulder to shoulder with Sikkim, the statement said.
With inputs from PTI
First Published: Oct 6, 2023 4:38 PM IST
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