Gangtok: The death toll from flash floods and cloudbursts in Sikkim’s Lachen valley has climbed to 53, with seven of them being soldiers. The National Disaster Response Force reported the recovery of 27 additional bodies of individuals affected by the flash flood along the banks of the Teesta river. Rescue operations are still underway in the affected regions, with approximately 150 people who were impacted by the flood still unaccounted for.
Search and rescue operations, including the use of helicopters, are ongoing in the Lachen area. A total of 1,173 houses were completely destroyed, and 2,413 people have been rescued. The flash flood in the Lachen Valley caused extensive damage and was triggered by a cloudburst near Lhonak Lake.
A high-level meeting was convened under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang to assess the situation. The central government has announced emergency financial assistance and an ex-gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased in Sikkim. The Prime Minister assured that all necessary support for the rescue operation has been provided.
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