Sikkim flash flood death toll rises to 74 after 41 bodies recovered in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri

Five days have passed since the massive floods swept through Sikkim, leaving behind a transformed landscape. The once-beautiful scenery has been drastically altered, with nature's serenity giving way to echoes of distress, lost lives, and homes reduced to ruins.

According to the Sikkim government, as reported by Reuters, 74 deaths have been confirmed, and 101 people are still missing due to flash floods caused by a glacial lake burst last week.

In the nearby Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, approximately 40 more bodies were discovered in the riverbed of the Teesta River, which was in full spate.

People and numbers

• Rescuers have discovered 25 bodies in Sikkim, and eight army personnel were found washed away in West Bengal.
• Currently, 101 people, including 14 soldiers, are missing due to recent Himalayan weather-related disasters.
• In Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, 41 bodies were recovered.

Sikkim, with a population of 650,000 people, faced heavy rainfall, receiving 101 mm (four inches) in the first five days of October, which is twice the usual amount.

What's been happening

• Days after heavy flooding caused by a glacial lake burst hit Lachung in Sikkim, the Indian Army is still assisting stranded tourists. They are providing medical help, food, and ways to communicate.

• The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army is assisting over 1,700 stranded tourists, including 63 people from other countries, as well as local residents.

Missing Indian Army personnel

Officials have reported that out of the 23 soldiers who were missing, one was found alive on October 8th, but unfortunately, eight others have lost their lives.

The Indian Army is actively conducting a search operation to locate its missing soldiers.

The disaster

• Early on Wednesday, October 4, a disaster occurred in northwest Sikkim when there was a heavy cloudburst over Lhonak Lake, which is high up in the mountains.
• This cloudburst caused an excessive amount of rain in a very short time, much more than usual.
• Due to the heavy rain, the lake couldn't contain all the water, leading to overflow.
• This, combined with the melting of the Lhonak Glacier, resulted in a Glacier Lake outburst flood (GLOF), which is characterised by a sudden and massive release of water.
• Lhonak Lake is situated at a high altitude of 17,100 feet in the mountains and formed due to the melting of the Himalayan glaciers.

• Authorities issued a warning as the water level rose. However, around 1 am, the Teesta Stage 3 dam, also known as the Urja project, was washed away by the flash flood.
• This made it impossible to properly evacuate people living near the river.

• The Urja dam, located 5,000 feet above sea level in Chungthang, and a lengthy bridge, approximately 200 meters in length, that connected to the powerhouse, were both washed away.
• The entire powerhouse was submerged in the floodwaters. After the dam burst, severe damage occurred downstream along the Teesta River.

• Numerous houses and buildings were damaged, roads were washed away, and at least 11 bridges collapsed.
• Areas like Mangan, Dikchu, Singtam, Rangpo, Chungthang, and Bardang were particularly affected.

Many lives have been lost, and numerous houses, buildings, roads, and bridges have been destroyed. The search for missing soldiers is still ongoing.

This disaster has caused significant damage and loss of life, tarnishing the age-old beauty of both Northeast and North Bengal.