Gangtok: Rescuers found ten bodies while rummaging through the rubble as the authorities believe at least 24 people, mostly the para-military personnel swept away by mudslides triggered by flash flood in north Sikkim’s Chungthang area on Friday/Saturday, official sources said today.
Disaster management secretary S B Bhaduria (corrected name) said the rescuers uncovered ten bodies so far from underneath the rubble.
Of the ten bodies recoverved, five were from the General Reserved Engineering Force (GREF), he said.
He said altogether 24 people, 12 Border Roads Organisation (BRO), nine Indo Tibetan Border Police, one civilian and two others, went missing after flash flood and mudslides hit Chungthang on Friday/Saturday.
He said their identity was being probed but the process was very slow due to logistics in the Himalayan terrain where day light has been scarce for past week due to torrential rains.
Four injured in the natural fury, three of them were admitted to a Gangtok hospital, and one at Army hospital.
Mr Bhaduria, who is also the relief commissioner said three helicopters, two of the army and one of the state tourism department, made four sorties so far as the landing at Chungthang was vulnerable for the spacecraft given the situation there now.
He said the state chief secretary and the DGP would visit the affected areas tomorrow to assess the situation and report to Chief Minister Pawan Chamling who expressed deep shock over the natural calamity.
Mr Bhaduria said reinforcement of Army and Air Force has been readied to combat the situation.
Majority of the victims had been posted in the hostile terrain of Chungthang region for call of the national duty.
Chungthang, a military strategic important place is at an altitude of 1,700 meters (5,600 ft), in north Sikkim Chungthang is also considered a holy place for both the Buddhists and Sikhs.
It is said Sikh saith Guru Nanak had blessed the people and area during his journey towards Gurudongmar Lake, bordering then Sikkim and Tibet ( now India and China).
Mr Bhaduria said that an entire BRO camp at Rangma, where at least 12 road-menders had been camping, washed away in Friday/Saturday’s deluge following torrents and swelling of Lachen River.
The rescue operations have been hampered owing to continuous rains and foul weather, especially preventing four helicopters in evacuation.
Road link between Mangan, headquarters of north district, and Chungthang, and Mangan and Gangtok severed due to washed away of major chunk of metal roads.
Weathermen said the torrential rains have been pounding the areas since September 19 causing overflowing of local rivers and damaging bridges or any improvised links.
Temporary houses at road sides along the Chungthang have been washed away.
Vehicles with relief materials from Gangtok have been stranded as landslides broke down the metal roads completely.
Army’s engineering force have been engaged in restoring power, telephone and water supply system so that rescue operation becomes easy. (UNI)