Sikkim floods: Eight army personnel are among the victims of flash floods. Official sources said only 10 bodies of all the victims, including eight soldiers, could be identified.
33 people confirmed dead due to floods in Sikkim, 40 others died in Bengal
Sikkim floods: Over 5,000 people have been evacuated in the last six days.
The Sikkim government has confirmed the death of 33 people in the state due to flash floods caused by the bursting of a glacial lake last week. Another 40 bodies were found in the bed of the raging Teesta river in neighboring Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal.
Eight army personnel are also among the victims of the flash flood. Official sources said only 10 bodies of all the victims, including eight soldiers, could be identified.
More than 5,000 people have been evacuated over the past six days while rescue efforts continue and parts of North Sikkim remain cut off from the rest of the state.
The Indian Army said in a statement that a search operation is underway to find its missing soldiers. One of the 23 missing soldiers was rescued alive last week.
Trishakti Corps personnel are providing assistance to 1,700 tourists stranded in Lachen, Lachung, Thangu and Chungthang in North Sikkim. Food, medical aid and communication facilities are being provided.
The statement said that due to bad weather, the army is making every possible effort to keep the tourists safe until they are evacuated.