Flash floods and landslides kill 21 in Sikkim

GANGTOK: At least 21 bodies, including those of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel, have so far been found while eight persons are still missing due to flash flood and landslides in remote areas of North Sikkim, official sources said on Sunday.

The dead include four from the ITBP, two of their family members, and 12 junior officers from the BRO. Other victims were casual labourers, officials said.

Karma Zyatso, chief secretary of Sikkim state, says the workers, who lived in camps, were swept away by the swirling waters of a flooded river Friday in Chungthan, a small town in the mountainous region.

Most of the casualties are reported from Rangma range. Landslides were caused by heavy rains since September 19, deputy commissioner north district T W Khangsherpa said.

There were about nine landslides blocking the main road between Chungthang and Mangan in the district, he said.

Army and IAF personnel have started rescue operations in full swing.

Several landslides blocked the main roads between Chungthang and Pegong. Houses along Lachen river between Rangma and Chungthang were washed away in flash floods along Lachen river.

The state government has declared a state of alert along the establishments on the river banks right from Lachen, Lachung, Chungthang, Mangan, Dikchu, Singtam and Rangpo, a government press release said.

Earlier on Sunday, another landslide was reported from a place 1 km away from Mangan, the district headquarter town of North Sikkim.

As a result of which, official reports said NH31-A has been blocked leaving the northern side of the Himalayan state cut off.

Sunday 23 September 2012

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