First flood…now gunpowder increased tension in Sikkim, explosives created hindrance in rescue operation

The flood that occurred after the cloudburst in Sikkim has caused severe devastation. Even after three days of the incident, the rescue operation has not been completed. Still 142 people are reported missing, while 26 bodies have been recovered so far. Seven army personnel are also included in this. Many kinds of obstacles are being seen in the ongoing rescue operation to bring out the people trapped in the flood.

After the cloud burst and flood in Sikkim, the explosion of ammunition buried under the debris has posed a new challenge to the team engaged in the rescue operation. Due to the ammunition, the search team has to move forward with great difficulty. On the other hand, bad weather has also hindered the search operation. Rescue is also getting delayed due to intermittent rains. So far 26 people, including seven soldiers, have died in the incident, while 142 people are still reported missing.

News agency PTI quoted officials as saying that more than 25,000 people have been affected by the cloudburst and subsequent floods. More than 1200 houses have been damaged in the incident. 2,413 people were evacuated safely from various areas. Since the incident, 6,875 people have taken shelter in about two dozen camps set up by the government.

The team engaged in the search operation faced problems when a mortar shell, which was reportedly washed away in the flood waters of the Teesta river, exploded. The explosion was so strong that five people died in the accident. Police believe that the mortar shell belonged to the army which had flowed down the hills with the water after the cloud burst and flood.

So far 26 bodies have been taken out

So far, 26 bodies have been taken out three days after the sudden flood in Teesta river. These also include the bodies of seven army soldiers who went missing in Bardang area after the incident. At the same time, one soldier has been rescued, while the search for 15 soldiers is still going on. Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority's bulletin said 16 of the 26 bodies have been recovered from Pakyong district, while six people died in Gangtok and four in Mangan district.

Most devastation in Chungthang

According to the information given by the local administration, the flood has caused maximum devastation in Chungthang city. 80 percent of the city has been hit by floods. National Highway-10 has also suffered huge damage due to floods. The road has been damaged at many places on the highway.

After the cloudburst incident, several teams of army and police are conducting rescue operations along the banks of Teesta river from Chungthang to Jalpaiguri. The army and police have warned people living on the banks of Teesta river not to touch the weapons and gunpowder flowing in the water. People have been told that if they see anything suspicious, they should directly inform the Army and local police.

There was flood in Teesta river after cloud burst

In fact, on Wednesday, due to cloud burst over Lhonak Lake, Teesta River suddenly came in spate. The water collected in the river flowed away from the Chungthang Dam. The flow of water was so fast that it moved towards the low-lying area, destroying the infrastructure of the power plant being built on the river. Due to which there was flood in the surrounding areas.