The death toll in Sikkim flash floods has now reached 53 people after 27 more dead bodied were found in the Teesta river in last three days. Out of these 27 bodies, seven have been identified.
While, thousands have been displaced by the flash floods, 140 are still missing. Around 1,174 houses have been affected by the floods and 2,413 people are saved in rescue operations, said the state government.
All bridges downstream to Teesta-V hydropower plant have been washed out hampering all communication with North Sikkim.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Friday called a meeting to draw out strategy for rescue and restoration of the flood hit areas. During the meeting it was decided that priority will be given to opening the road connecting up to Chungthang.
The state chief minister has even announced a compensation of ₹ 4 lakh to each of the families who lost their dear ones.
As decided by the government, the authorities will be prioritizing the reopening of road connectivity to Chungthang while the road connectivity from Naga to Toong will subject to land availability.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted light to moderate downpour in several areas of Mangan district for next five days. The clouds are expected to be cloudy to overcast skies in Lachen and Lachung, that may hamper airlifting of more than 3,000 stranded tourists.
These flash floods cloudburst have hardly hit Sikkim, damaging 1,200 homes, 13 bridges which has cumulatively affected more than 25,000 people in state.
Around 2,413 people have successfully been rescued However, 6,875 people remain displaced and are currently sheltering in 22 relief camps in the northeastern state.
