Indian Rescue Team Strives To Reach Flood-Hit Areas

Officials said on Saturday that Indian rescue teams were working to reach flood-hit areas in the northeastern state of Sikkim, where more than 140 people were missing, as the region continued to be pummeled by rain. big.

Lake Lhonak overflowed on Wednesday after a downpour caused torrential rain and apparent avalanches, causing major flooding on the Teesta River.

“We are waiting for weather conditions to improve, because only then will the Air Force and other rescue teams be able to enter the flood-hit area,” said V.B. Pathak, Chief Secretary of State.

According to a government official overseeing rescue operations from Gangtok, the state capital, the death toll rose to 44, two more than on Friday. Hundreds of search and rescue personnel have been deployed across Sikkim and the neighboring northern state of West Bengal.

Areas near the river are still on alert.

Fifteen soldiers are among those missing.

Another official said about 2,000 tourists gathered in Lachung,

Lachen and Chungthung areas in north Sikkim were deemed safe and the army had provided them with satellite phones so they could communicate with family.

At least 13 bridges were washed away, hindering rescue operations. All bridges downstream of the Teesta-V NHPC (NHPC.NS) hydroelectric plant were submerged or washed away.

The key highway connecting Sikkim with Siliguri in West Bengal also collapsed due to floods.

Bandana Chettri, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Tourism, said local lawmakers are studying whether walking routes can be used to reach disaster areas.

Sikkim, a small Buddhist country located between Nepal, Bhutan and China, is home to about 650,000 residents.