Sikkim Flash Flood: 8 Soldiers Killed, 14 Still Missing

In a late evening communication on Saturday, the defence ministry confirmed that eight of the 30-odd bodies recovered so far from various areas of Teesta River downstream are of soldiers of the Indian Army.

Among the deceased soldiers, at least one hailed from West Bengal.

While one jawan was rescued alive from the 23 soldiers who went missing in the Sikkim flash flood and is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, the confirmation of eight identified bodies means 14 soldiers still remain missing four days after disaster struck the state.

“Approximately 26 bodies in total have been recovered so far from various areas along the river in North Bengal and four bodies have been handed over by Bangladesh Border Forces. Out of the 26 recovered bodies, eight have been positively identified as that of Indian Army soldiers,” the communication confirmed.

“The last rites of Naik Bimal Oraon hailing from Alipurduar were conducted on 6th Oct 23 with full military honours. The mortal remains of four soldiers are being taken to their native places on 7th Oct by service and civil aircraft for the conduct of last rites in the presence of the family members,” the ministry stated.

“Post Mortem of two mortal remains is in progress. Meanwhile, the search operation for the remaining 14 soldiers continues,” the communication note added.

Besides large-scale damage to properties, infrastructure and lives of civilians in Sikkim and adjacent upper reaches of Bengal, the Indian Army deployed in the area has also borne the brunt of the disaster with some of its camps along the Teesta River bank being badly damaged or even washed away.

A vehicle parking area at Burdang near Singtam, about 30 kilometres from the state capital Gangtok, was among the worst affected by the flash flood with 23 soldiers and 39 vehicles taking a temporary overnight transit halt were submerged in silt or swept away by the raging Teesta waters on the wee hours of Wednesday.

At the site of the incident, silt and mud measuring up to 30-40 feet high were found to have been deposited underneath where most of the Army vehicles were buried. Results of a joint search and rescue operation launched by the Indian Army, BRO along with NDRF, State Disaster Relief Teams, Para Military Forces, Police, Civil Administration and the local population of Sikkim and North Bengal have, so far, not been very encouraging in terms rescuing the missing people.

Except, of course, the one soldier was found alive by villagers on the evening of October 4 some 18 kilometres downstream of Burdang. As many as four bodies swept away across the border were recovered by Bangladesh Border Forces and handed over to the Indian authorities.

Efforts being made to connect Chungthang, which still remains cut off from the rest of the state, with a footbridgeSougata Mukhopadhyay

The devastation, triggered by the outburst in South Lhonak Glacial Lake in North Sikkim, was caused by an enormous rise in the level of water in the Teesta River by about 50-60 feet in height causing calamitous floods downstream and large-scale damage to infrastructure, property and loss of human lives.

“Dozers and plant equipment have been digging up the site of the incident at Burdang. Since 06 Oct 23, Radars (Leo Life Detector Radar, REECO Radar) and Army Dogs have also been employed. So far, 15 vehicles out of the total 39 missing have been recovered,” the defence ministry stated.

“Some ammunition, explosives and stores of the Indian Army from various camps swept away have been reported from various places along the downstream river banks. Indian Army has issued advisories through civil administration and deployed lookout teams along with State Police to warn the locals to report sightings of such items. Ammunition experts have been deployed to destroy the explosives recovered in a controlled manner,” the ministry note added in the wake of the death already taking place in Jalpaiguri and leaving several others injured when villagers attempted to tamper with a floating mortar shell causing it to explode.

“National Highway 10, the lifeline of Sikkim, has been rendered unusable due to damages to the road surface and many bridges across the Teesta River. The opening/ widening of road stretch Rangpo - Singtam is under progress,” the ministry informed.

Some 1500 tourists remain stranded across different areas of Lachung and Lachen valleys in North Sikkim, the Army confirmed. “Indian Army along with the local administration has been extending assistance to the stranded tourists and locals by providing food, medical aid and telephone connectivity through satellite terminals,” the organization maintained.

The overflow of the Teesta river and consequent flash floods has thrown the lives of citizens in complete disarraySougata Mukhopadhyay

“The Director General BRO along with Indian Army Engineers, NHIDCL and State Government officials are assessing the damage and carrying out a survey for restoring the road connectivity,” the note went on to state.

Meanwhile, efforts were being made to connect Chungthang, which still remains cut off from the rest of the state, with a footbridge.

“Helicopters of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force are undertaking emergency supply and evacuation sorties. However, the inclement weather and incessant rains have hindered the aerial operations,” the ministry stated.

The armed forces, however, asserted that although the hinterland of Sikkim has been affected, the operational situation along the Line of Actual Control in the state continues to remain stable.